Derry man Shane Duffy returns to the Republic of Ireland squad for Finland and England fixtures
The centre back has been in impressive form for his club side Norwich City in the Championship this season
Derryman Shane Duffy has returned to the Republic of Ireland football squad.
The centre back has been in impressive form for his club side Norwich City in the Championship this season, as the Canaries maintain hope of an outside surge towards promotion to the Premier League for next season.
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson hopes that Duffy can bring all his experience to the squad ahead of their fixtures with Finland and England.
The Nations League fixtures will take place on November 14 and 17, with the Irish facing Finland at the Aviva Stadium first, before travelling to Wembley to face England.
The defender has had 61 caps to this point in his career, with only one of those appearances coming in the past 12 months, in a 2-1 friendly victory over Hungary in June under then interim head coach John O'Shea.
Hallgrimsson said: “I wanted to see the upcoming exciting younger centre-backs so in the beginning we went for younger players but I felt - especially last camp and before - there were some areas we can improve.
"For example, we lost a lot of duels, especially against Greece in the first half, and his leadership, his character will probably help us in that area.
"It's good to see what he brings in and I hope they will be the attributes he will come in with, with leadership, a little bit more steel and winning duels, especially set-pieces, etc.”