Town striker David McGoldrick has been confirmed in the Republic of Ireland squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Serbia but has been given permission to join up with the party late.

McGoldrick's place in the Blues side which lost 2-0 at home to Fulham on Saturday was in doubt with his wife close to giving birth to their fourth child.

The Irish squad, which has been reduced to 25 from the initial 39 named by manager Martin O’Neill and his assistant, former Town boss Roy Keane, assembled and trained today but McGoldrick won’t join up with them until Tuesday.

Ireland, who are currently second in their group and unbeaten having won three and drawn three of their six qualifiers, play away in Georgia on Saturday 2nd September and then in Dublin against Serbia on the following Tuesday.

McGoldrick, 29, has previously won six full caps so far without scoring an international goal. Also in the squad are ex-Blues Daryl Murphy, Jon Walters and Conor Hourihane.

Meanwhile, Town's on-loan Manchester City winger Bersant Celina has been ruled out of the Kosovo squad due to the illness which has hampered him in recent weeks.

Also away during this international break are Monty Patterson, who is with New Zealand for their World Cup qualification games against the Solomon Islands, fellow Blue Tommy Smith having been ruled out with his hamstring injury.

Young midfielders Flynn Downes and Tristan Nydam are with the England U19s ahead of friendlies against Poland and Germany.

Republic of Ireland: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Rob Elliot (Newcastle United), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), 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), Glenn Whelan, Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), David Meyler (Hull City), Robbie Brady (Burnley), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion), Daryl Horgan (Preston North End), Jonathan Hayes (Celtic), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), Jonathan Walters (Burnley), Shane Long (Southampton), Daryl Murphy (Nottingham Forest), David McGoldrick (Ipswich Town).

Photo: Action Images

12th_Man added 17:49 - Aug 28 Please don't get injured
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brian_a_mul added 18:05 - Aug 28 Please score a few goals and get 6pts for your country!
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dirtydingusmagee added 19:41 - Aug 28 i know its an honour and he must be pleased , but in present circumstances i'd rather he wasn't, .
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Seasider added 00:01 - Aug 29 Hope Celina's exclusion is because he is not up to speed after his illness,not that he is sick again.
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londonben added 07:57 - Aug 30 Agreed...if Celina's still ill then it must be pretty serious. Looks like an exciting player, hope he gets up to match fitness soon!
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