Mark McGuinness gets first Ireland call-up, Matt Doherty left in cold

Luton Town centre-half Mark McGuinness has received a first Republic of Ireland call-up for the UEFA Nations League double-header against Finland and Greece, but there's no room for Matt Doherty or Jake O'Brien, who have been left out of the squad.

Heimir Hallgrimsson suffered a tough start to his reign as head coach last month when England and Greece both came away from the Aviva Stadium with 2-0 wins.

He now faces into trips to the Helsinki Olympic Stadium on Thursday, 10 October and the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium the following Sunday.

Seamus Coleman and Will Smallbone are injured, so Hallgrimsson has drafted in 23-year-old Slough-born McGuinness, who won 13 caps with the Ireland Under-21s.

McGuinness has six Championship appearances under his belt for Luton this season. The Hatters are 20th in the table having won just two of their first eight matches.

Elsewhere, there are returns for Aberdeen midfielder Jamie McGrath and West Bromwich Albion winger Mikey Johnston.

Watford right-back Festy Ebosele, who came into the squad for Coleman ahead of the the Greece game, is also included.

Burnley's Josh Cullen was injured for the September clashes but he is back to boost the midfield.

Ipswich Town man Jack Taylor (above, right) gets his first call-up since June 2023 after helping for the Tractor Boys to snatch a draw against Aston Villa at the weekend. He has yet to win a senior cap.

Doherty started against England and came on for Andrew Omobamidele after 74 minutes against the Greeks, but he endured criticism for his role in the visitors' second goal at Lansdowne Road. The Wolves wing-back, who was an unused sub in the 2-1 loss to Liverpool last Saturday, is overlooked completely this time.

O'Brien has struggled to get game time at