McCabe named in Ireland squad for USA double-header

Katie McCabe has been included in the Republic of Ireland squad for Aprile's double-header with the USA.

Pauw's team continue their World Cup preparations with a clash against the world No 1-ranked Americans at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas on 8 April and at the brand new CityPark ground in St Louis, Missouri three days later. Both games wil be screened live on RTÉ2.

McCabe injured her foot when making a crunching tackle towards the end of Arsenal's Champions League quarter-final defeat of Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

She ended the night on crutches and wearing a protective boot.

However Pauw has included the Dubliner in her squad for the trip to the States.

Peamount United's Tara O'Hanlon and Aalannah McEvoy of Shamrock Rovers are rewarded for their good recent form in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division, while Lewes FC's Sophie White also gets a first call-up as goalkeeper cover.

Shelbourne's Jessie Stapleton is recalled to the senior fold.

Injuries rule out Niamh Fahey, Chloe Mustaki, Ellen Molloy, Jess Ziu and Leanne Kiernan, while Megan Campbell is unavailable.

The squad will get together on Sunday ahead of flying out the following day.

Republic of Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (Brighton & Hove Albion), Sophie Whitehouse (Lewes)

Defenders: Harriet Scott (Birmingham City), Jessie Stapleton (Shelbourne), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Claire O'Riordan (Celtic), Hayley Nolan (London City Lionesses), Tara O’Hanlon (Peamount United), Áine O’Gorman (Shamrock Rovers)

Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jamie Finn