Academy striker Billy Clarke has been called up to the Ireland U19 squad for two friendlies in Italy later this month. Also included in the squad is midfielder John Paul Kelly, who was recently on trial at Portman Road.

Ireland face Italy first Corato on 18th January and then in Biscegli on 20th January. Clarke won his first U19 cap early in the season in a friendly against England in his home town of Cork.

The 17-year-old was called into the U19s after making an immediate impression on promotion to the U18s in the summer.

Irish U19 manager Sean McCaffrey says the matches will give him an opportunity to assess his squad ahead of UEFA Championship qualifiers: "These games give us the opportunity to look at players who are coming through and those who have been close to the squad of late.

"They will be ideal preparation for the next qualifying phase of the UEFA Championships in the spring."

Clarke recently signed professional terms with the Blues.

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