Strikers strengthen Irish hand

Republic of Ireland coach Brian Kerr has called up Reading FC striker Kevin Doyle for their decisive FIFA World Cup qualifying matches away to Cyprus and at home to Switzerland on 8 and 12 October, with two wins ensuring at least a play-off place from Group 4. There is a recall to the squad for Wigan Athletic FC striker David Connolly, who has not played for the senior national team since 2003. Midfielder Andy Reid and striker Clinton Morrison are suspended for the Cyprus match but will return against the Swiss, but the talismatic Roy Keane is ruled out with a foot injury.

Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Shay Given (Newcastle United FC), Paddy Kenny (Sheffield United FC), Nick Colgan (Barnsley FC).
Defenders: Kenny Cunningham (Birmingham FC), Gary Breen (Sunderland FC), Andy O'Brien (Portsmouth FC), Richard Dunne (Manchester City FC), John O'Shea (Manchester United FC), Stephen Carr (Newcastle United FC), Ian Harte (Levante UD), Steve Finnan (Liverpool FC).
Midfielders: Steven Reid (Blackburn Rovers FC), Liam Miller (Manchester United FC), Matt Holland (Charlton Athletic FC), Graham Kavanagh (Wigan Athletic FC), Kevin Kilbane (Everton FC), Damien Duff (Chelsea FC), Andy Reid (Tottenham Hotspur FC)*.
Forwards: David Connolly (Wigan Athletic FC), Gary Doherty (Norwich City FC), Stephen Elliott (Sunderland AFC), Kevin Doyle (Reading FC), Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Clinton Morrison (Crystal Palace FC)*.

*Suspended for fixture with Cyprus