The 26-year-old has made 23 appearances for Ireland since being handed his debut by former manager Martin O’Neill in May 2016 in a 2-1 defeat to Belarus.

The Oxford-born Republic of Ireland player has yet to complete the full 90 minutes under Kenny and has only played for the side five times under their current boss.

O’Dowda is line to make his first appearance for the national side in a year – the Bristol City winger has featured for Stephen Kenny’s team since the 1-0 defeat to Wales in the UEFA Nations League last November.

Cardiff City forward James Collins will miss out on a 15th appearance for the national team and an 11th since Stephen Kenny took the reins.

O’Dowda has been a bit-part player for Bristol City so far this season, making only seven appearances in the EFL Championship and playing for only 278 minutes – 90 of which came in his most recent game for the Robins against Coventry.

Ireland Squad v Portugal and Luxembourg

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth).
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Burnley).
Midfielders: Conor Hourihane (Sheffield United, on loan from Aston Villa), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Jason Knight (Derby County), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jamie McGrath (St. Mirren).
Forwards: Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers).

Fixtures – FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifying

11/11 – Republic of Ireland v Portugal – Aviva Stadium, 7.45 pm
14/11 – Luxembourg v Republic of Ireland – Stade de Luxembourg, 7.45pm

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Swansea manager Steve Cooper has confirmed that Republic of Ireland midfielder Conor Hourihane may miss the crucial World Cup qualifiers coming up next week. Hourihane was forced off yesterday after 18 minutes due to a hamstring injury, leaving him a major doubt for his country.

“I am not sure of the extent of his hamstring injury,” said Cooper on Hourihane’s injury.

“He has come off, but I am not sure how bad it is, that we will find out over the next few days.

“It seems he might not go away, but I don’t want to rule him in or out at the moment.”

Hourihane was in fine form leading up to his injury, contributing to 6 goals in 13 Championship games for Swansea.

The Corkman isn’t the only injury doubt that emerged for the Republic of Ireland yesterday, Bristol City winger Callum O’Dowda was also forced off with injury.

O’Dowda only just came back from an injury which kept him out for several months. The extent of the injury is yet unspecified, however with his lack of game time it would appear unlikely that he’ll feature during the international break.

Hourihane and O’Dowda add to an ever-growing list of injury doubts for the Republic of Ireland.

There are a number of players within the Ireland squad who are already injury doubts, as well as several others who didn’t make the squad due to injury.

The Republic of Ireland squad travel to Belgrade next Wednesday (March 24^th) to take on Serbia before meeting Luxembourg in the more familiar venue of the Aviva Stadium on Saturday (March 27^th). Their final trip takes them to Nagyerdei Stadion in Hungary on the following Tuesday (March 30^th) where they’ll face World Cup 2022 hosts Qatar in a friendly.

Squad announced for FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifiers

29-player squad named for the three matches with first senior call-up for Gavin Bazunu

24/03 | v
27/03 | v
30/03 | v #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/JMJN0VNsGo

— FAIreland (@FAIreland) March 18, 2021

The post ‘It seems he might not go away’ – Swansea boss on Hourihane’s Ireland availability appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.