Blues striker David McGoldrick has been named in the 32-man provisional Republic of Ireland squad for their crucial World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Wales next month.
Ireland, who are managed by Martin O'Neill and his assistant, former Town boss Roy Keane, face a home clash with the Moldovans on Friday 6th October and three days later travel to Cardiff to take on the Welsh.
McGoldrick and his team-mates will be looking to secure all six points as they aim for at least second spot in Group D and a place in the play-offs alongside seven other runners-up to determine who goes forward to the final stages in Russia next summer.
Speaking about the fixtures last week, McGoldrick said: "The games against Moldova and Wales are massive, Ireland’s biggest in a long time, and we need to get something from them — preferably two wins. I missed out on the Euros last year and I’d love to be going to Russia next year.
"But I know I’ve got to be fit and firing if I’m going to have any chance of making the squad. In the meantime I want to help them get the results they need against Moldova and Wales. After I couldn’t be involved in the Georgia and Serbia games [as his partner was giving birth to their fourth child] it would mean a lot to me.”
The 29-year-old has previously won six full caps so far without scoring an international goal.
Former Blues Daryl Murphy and Conor Hourihane are also included in the squad but Jon Walters is ruled out with a knee injury.
Republic of Ireland: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Rob Elliot (Newcastle United), Colin Doyle (Bradford City), Cyrus Christie (Middlesbrough), Richard Keogh (Derby County), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), John O’Shea (Sunderland), Kevin Long, Stephen Ward (Burnley), Aiden McGeady (Sunderland), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion), Glenn Whelan, Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady (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), 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).