Academy striker Paul Murphy has been named in the Republic of Ireland squad for friendlies with Russia in Sochi on February 10th and 12th. Murphy, 17, is currently back in Dublin having suffered with home sickness during the first half of the season.

The Wexford-born player asked the club if he could remain home for a longer period after the Christmas break and is in regular contact with the academy.

Murphy, who has five U19 caps, scoring one goal, signed a professional contract with the Blues back in July aimed at keeping him at Portman Road until 2010.

Republic of Ireland U19s: Harry Lee - Charlton Athletic (on loan at Arsenal), Gerard Hanley - Galway United, Lanre Oyebanjo - Histon, Mark Connolly - Wolverhampton Wanderers, Danny Kelly - Norwich City, Niall McArdle - Sunderland, Gavin Gunning - Blackburn Rovers, Shane O'Connor - Liverpool, Aaron Doran - Blackburn Rovers, Conor Clifford - Chelsea, Gearoid Morrissey - Blackburn Rovers, Richie Towell - Celtic, Damien McCrory - Plymouth Argyle, Conor Hourihane - Sunderland, Paul Murphy - Ipswich Town, Charlie Collins - MK Dons, James Collins - Aston Villa, Ian Daly - Manchester City.

Photo: Action Images

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