Martin O'Neill has named a 32-man provisional Irish squad to face Moldova and Wales

Martin O'Neill announced a 32-man squad in Aviva's Dublin headquarters today, ahead of the two remaining Group D qualifying matches for the 2018 FIFA World Cup – against Moldova in Aviva Stadium on Friday 6th October; and Wales in Cardiff on Monday 9th October.

Absent from the squad due to injury are Jonathan Walters and Greg Cunningham, while Robbie Brady and James McClean are suspended for the Moldova match. Meanwhile, there is still no sign of Anthony Stokes getting a call-up, although his current fitness and excellent match-performances were discussed by Hibs manager Neil Lennon in the current issue of Hot Press, which can be read here.

Making a return to the squad are Jeff Hendrick – who was back in Burnley's starting eleven at the weekend – and David McGoldrick, both of whom missed the previous games against Georgia and Serbia.

Republic of Ireland Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers:
Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Rob Elliot (Newcastle United), Colin Doyle (Bradford City)

Defenders:
Cyrus Christie (Middlesbrough), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Kevin Long, Stephen Ward (both Burnley)

Midfielders:
Aiden McGeady (Sunderland), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion), Glenn Whelan, Conor Hourihane (both Aston Villa), Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady (both Burnley), James McCarthy (Everton), David Meyler (Hull City), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Eunan O'Kane (Leeds United), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), Jonathan Hayes (Celtic), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), Daryl Horgan (Preston North End)

Forwards:
Shane Long (Southampton), Daryl Murphy (Nottingham Forest), David McGoldrick (Ipswich Town), Kevin Doyle (Colorado Rapids), Sean Maguire (Preston North End), Scott Hogan (Aston Villa), Aiden O'Brien (Millwall)

BREAKING: Martin O'Neill names a 32 man provisional squad with strikers Scott Hogan and Aiden O'Brien included for the first time. #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/HKsMCsEJ1l

— FAIreland (@FAIreland) September 26, 2017