Mark McGuinness called into Republic of Ireland squad for Nations League matches

Luton defender Mark McGuinness has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for the Nations League clashes with Finland and Greece.

Heimir Hallgrimsson has included the 23-year-old in the senior squad for the first time for the clashes with the Finns at Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium on Thursday, October 10 and the Greeks at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Athens on Sunday, October 13.

Burnley midfielder Josh Cullen returns after injury, as does West Brom winger Mikey Johnston, and there are places too for Middlesbrough’s Finn Azaz, Aberdeen’s Jamie McGrath and Ipswich midfielder Jack Taylor, while Watford’s Udinese loanee Festy Ebosele, who was drafted in for the injured Seamus Coleman in September, also makes the 24-man party.

However, skipper Coleman and midfielder Will Smallbone, who sustained injuries during last month’s home double-header, will miss out.

Everton defender Coleman limped out of the 2-0 defeat by England in Dublin on September 7 with a foot problem, while Southampton’s Smallbone damaged a hamstring as Ireland lost by the same scoreline to Greece at the Aviva Stadium three days later, and neither has played since.

September’s fixtures proved a sobering debut for new head coach Hallgrimsson with his team struggling to score goals and proving worryingly porous at the other end.

They head for Helsinki sitting third in League B2 without a point and ahead of the Finns only on goal difference.