Obafemi & Connolly left out as Kenny names squad

Michael Obafemi and Aaron Connolly have both been left out of Stephen Kenny's 25-man Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Lithuania.

In-form St Mirren man Connor Ronan gets the nod, while Oxford United midfielder Mark Sykes gets a first call-up and Scott Hogan returns to the fold.

However Jamie McGrath is omitted, while the absence of attacking pair Obafemi and Connolly will also raise eyebrows.

Kenny is due to face the media later today.

Earlier this week Ireland Under-21 boss Jim Crawford revealed Obafemi had turned down an invitation to link up with his squad because "he sees himself as a senior international player".

Obafemi, 21, has been in good form recently at Swansea after making a slow start to his career there. He's scored six times in his last nine games for the Championship outfit, with boss Russell Martin describing the attacker as "really sharp and clinical" after Wednesday's win at Peterborough, where Obafemi scored twice.

However he hasn't featured for Ireland's seniors since making his debut under Martin O'Neill in a scoreless UEFA Nations League draw against Denmark back in November 2018.

Connolly has also started to find some form at Middlesbrough, where he's on loan from Brighton. He scored in a 2-0 midweek win at Birmingham and is finding some rhythm in Chris Wilder's team, who face Chelsea in an FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday evening.

He was left out of the squad for last November's World Cup qualifiers against Portugal and Luxembourg because of a heel problem.

Ireland welcome the world No 1-ranked Belgians to Lansdowne Road on Saturday week for a glamour friendly that will mark the FAI's centenary year.

However, a lot of Roberto Martinez's biggest names will be absent.