West Ham u23 captain Conor Coventry has received his first senior international call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad.

The midfielder was previously announced as a member of Jim Crawford’s u21 squad but has been promoted to the seniors after a succession of players were ruled out due to injury.

Coventry has very little experience playing senior football, he only ever played league football whilst on a brief stint with Lincoln City in League One last year where he managed 7 appearances. Otherwise, he’s been restricted to a handful of cup appearances for West Ham.

Despite his lack of experience, though, Coventry has undeniable quality. He’s currently captain of West Ham’s u23s and has appeared a number of times for Ireland’s u21s where he’s established himself as a consistent performer. He has also featured on the West Ham bench – alongside fellow Ireland international Mipo Odubeko – a handful of times in recent weeks which is no mean feat given their impressive league form.

Although Coventry is unlikely to make an appearance in the World Cup qualifiers, there’s a good chance he could be involved in the friendly against Qatar later this month. If so, it’d be a massive achievement given his relatively low amount of game time. He may take inspiration from Lee O’Connor who received his solitary cap – so far – in 2019 having never made a senior league appearance.

Blackburn Rovers captain Darragh Lenihan was also called up within the last couple of days due to injury problems within the squad.

Caoimhin Kelleher, Kevin Long, Conor Hourihane and Callum O’Dowda were forced to withdraw from the squad, adding to an already long list of injuries.

Kelleher was poised to start against Serbia on Wednesday, however it now appears that Bournemouth ‘keeper Mark Travers will take his place. Stephen Kenny suggested that Travers would start in the absence of Kelleher during a Q&A last week.

The Republic of Ireland squad travel to Belgrade on 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.

First senior call-up for @conorcoventry

Kelleher, K. Long, Hourihane & O'Dowda ruled out as Lenihan and Coventry drafted in for qualifiers

What a moment for the @WestHam midfielder

https://t.co/8jPIkNfpXo#COYBIG pic.twitter.com/Agoy8FyaMF

— FAIreland (@FAIreland) March 21, 2021

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Enda Stevens will miss the Republic of Ireland’s fixtures against England, Wales and Bulgaria. The full-back was assessed by the Ireland medical team and deemed unfit to play. Stevens featured for the full 90 minutes as Sheffield United lost 4-1 to Chelsea on Saturday evening. Recently retired David McGoldrick scored Sheffield United’s only goal with a clever finish.

Elsewhere in the league, Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendrick, Seamus Coleman, Dara O’Shea and Callum Robinson all started for their respective clubs. A timely increase in playing time for several key players as we head into this week’s fixtures.

Likewise, Matt Doherty started as Spurs grabbed a late winner against West Brom at The Hawthorns. His perfectly-weighted cross was met by the head of Harry Kane, clinching the victory for Spurs and taking them up to second in the league. With Stevens out injured, it is possible that both Coleman and Doherty will start against England on Thursday.

@HKane's 150th @premierleague goal came at the 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 time! #THFC #COYS pic.twitter.com/QFhlDSEVdh

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 8, 2020

Championship

In the Championship, Nottingham Forrest’s Cyrus Christie set up Lyle Taylor for his first as they beat Daryl Horgan’s Wycombe Wanderers. Christie will replace Enda Stevens in the Ireland squad.

Blackburn Rovers’ captain Darragh Lenihan also grabbed an assist in their win over Queens Park Rangers. The centre-back will be aiming to fight his way back into Stephen Kenny’s plans having missed out on the squad this time round.

Another player who will be looking to regain their spot in the Ireland camp is striker Scott Hogan. After an impressive start to 2020, Hogan finally scored his first of the new season as Birmingham City defeated Bournemouth 3-1.

FA Cup

Lincoln City striker Anthony Scully was called up by Jim Crawford for the U-21 squad’s upcoming EURO 2021 qualifying fixtures. He scored a brace in Lincoln’s 6-2 thrashing of Forest Green Rovers.

Jack Taylor made it three in three, scoring yet again as Peterborough United knocked out Oxford United. This follows a superb long-range effort against Bristol Rovers in the league. The U-21 midfielder returns for international duty as Crawford’s side face two crucial games against Iceland and Luxembourg.

Fireworks night came early for Peterborough with these two crackers from Jack Taylor and Dan Butler!

@jackootaylor @Danielbutler26
@theposhofficial #PUSB pic.twitter.com/7ajmvf3FBO

— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) November 4, 2020

Ronan Curtis opened the scoring for Portsmouth with a free kick finish against Ipswich Town. The winger retains his place in the Ireland squad after making an appearance in last month’s game against Finland.

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Firstly to Anfield where John Egan and co failed, despite their best efforts, to hang onto the draw as Sheffield United narrowly lost to champions Liverpool. Egan and fellow international Enda Stevens had a front four of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah to contest with. After taking an early lead, the Blades went home with nothing to show for in spite of Egan’s best efforts.

A captain's performance.

Some vital interceptions from John Egan last night pic.twitter.com/UaG50PfOOl

— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) October 25, 2020

At the Amex Stadium on Monday night, West Bromwich Albion grabbed a late equaliser against Brighton Hove Albion. Callum Robinson came off the bench to set up Karlan Grant for his first goal for the Baggies. Dara O’Shea missed the game with a suspected ankle injury.

Championship

Here's your #SkyBetChampionship Team of the Week, powered by @WhoScored ratings!#EFL pic.twitter.com/RqZQyPS9xl

— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) October 26, 2020

Both James McClean and Alan Browne made the Whoscored.com ‘Team of the Week’. Michael O’Neill’s Stoke City team gained all three points after an impressive performance against Brentford. James McClean put in a man of the match display with a goal and assist as his team won 3-2. At the back, Nathan Collins continued his run in the team. He will have one eye on the Irish senior squad as we head towards the World Cup qualifiers next year.

Preston North End also enjoyed a successful Saturday afternoon thanks to an Alan Browne brace. Browne’s performance against Slovakia in Ireland’s play-off game drew some criticism after he missed a couple of crucial chances. Two goals for the Irishman was the perfect way to respond to the critics. His first goal was a well-placed finish into the corner of the net, his second a cheeky dink over the keeper with his back to goal.

Every angle of the goal that sparked the comeback yesterday!

What a finish from @Alan__Browne!

Highlights will be available later today. https://t.co/TrIjTrEoIW#pnefc pic.twitter.com/0WdPte4DzB

— Preston North End FC (@pnefc) October 25, 2020

Elsewhere in the Championship, Adam Idah saw red in Norwich City’s 2-1 win over Wycombe Wanderers. Blackburn Rovers thrashed Coventry City 4-0 as Irish pair Darragh Lenihan and Derrick Williams claimed a clean sheet. Williams in particular has impressed his manager Tony Mowbray so far this season.

Boss impressed with Williams' fine form#Rovers

— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) October 26, 2020

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