Striker Billy Clarke has been named in the Republic of Ireland side for their opening European U21 Championship qualifier against Portugal at Turner's Cross, Cork on Friday. Fellow Blue Owen Garvan is in the squad but is not in the starting line-up.

Also in the side are Aston Villa's Stephen O'Halloran, understood to be a Town loan target, and Bristol City's Richard Keogh, who was a schoolboy and ballboy with Town. The match is live on Sky Sports Three from 7.30pm.

Clarke has previously won three U21 caps, while Garvan is yet to appear at that level having been withdrawn from the squad when previously called up due to clashes with domestic fixtures.

In addition to Clarke and Garvan, Chris Casement is also on international duty this week with the Northern Ireland U21 squad which faces Germany at Mourneview Park, Lurgan, also on Friday.

Republic of Ireland U21 side: Darren Randolph (Charlton Athletic), Eddie Nolan (Blackburn Rovers), Richard Keogh (Bristol City, on loan at Huddersfield), Darren O'Dea (Celtic), Stephen O'Halloran (Aston Villa), Stephen Gleeson (Wolves), Patrick Cregg (Falkirk), Stephen Quinn (Sheffield United), James O'Brien (Celtic), Adam Rooney (Stoke City, on loan at Chesterfield), Billy Clarke (Ipswich Town).

Get the fastest and most comprehensive Ipswich Town news service at ipswichtown.footballlatest.co.uk.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls