Caretaker manager Don Givens has recalled the fit-again Stephen Carr to the Republic of Ireland squad to face Greece in an international friendly later this month.
The Tottenham full back, who has missed all international assignments, including the World Cup finals, over the last 18 months due to a knee ligament injury, has featured in the London club's last seven games and is close to regaining his best form.
Carr was widely recognised as Mick McCarthy's best right-back and, given the continued absence of Millwall's Steven Reid, his ability to join in with attacks will bolster Givens' options on the right wing. While Lee Carsley deputised for the injured Jason McAteer on the flank against the Swiss, Carr is now a more likely option with Steve Finnan tucked in behind him.
Givens, the Republic's under-21 boss, has elevated Arsenal striker Graham Barrett to the senior squad. Barrett, on loan at the Division One strugglers Brighton, is chosen ahead of the in-form Wimbledon hit-man David Connolly.
Connolly has scored seven times in just two games for Wimbledon - four of those coming against Bradford at the weekend - since his return from injury last month but Givens feels the younger Dubliner was due a call up.
"I made a choice on the front players and decided that Graham Barrett was due an inclusion so that has probably been to the detriment of David Connolly at this point," said Givens.
Barrett was a late call up from the under-21s for Ireland's last friendly international against Finland in August and marked that, his first international cap, with a fine goal in the dying moments of Ireland's 3-0 victory. He has played six games for Brighton this season and scored his only goal for them in the 4-2 defeat to Sheffield United.
Givens, who admitted the Greek challenge was an "honour and a privilege" to preside over, has also recalled Manchester City defender Richard Dunne. The 23-year-old's inclusion puts an end - at least until the arrival of McCarthy's successor - to Phil Babb's brief resurrection into the international fold.
Givens monitored Dunne's progress at City's recent league win at West Bromwich Albion and felt he had done enough to warrant inclusion.
"I've been very impressed with Richard lately. He's made a lot of effort physically to get himself in shape. Given the work he's put in to get back in shape I think he deserves to get the chance again. Looking towards the future, age wise, I think he will be involved in future squads."
Wolves winger Mark Kennedy is also named in the 25-man squad. He last featured in the green jersey when Ireland beat Russia in a home friendly in February but missed the World Cup after declaring himself unfit for selection after the Nigeria friendly at Lansdowne Road.
Ireland squad:
Goalkeepers: Given (Newcastle), Kiely (Charlton), Colgan (Hibernian).
Defenders: Kelly (Leeds), Carr (Tottenham), Finnan (Fulham), Harte (Leeds), Breen (West Ham), Cunningham (Birmingham), O'Shea (Man Utd), Dunne (Man City), O'Brien (Newcastle).
Midfielders: Holland (Ipswich), Healy (Celtic), Kinsella (Aston Villa), Carsley (Everton), Delap (Southampton), McPhail (Leeds), Kilbane (Sunderland), Kennedy (Wolves).
Strikers: Doherty (Tottenham), Duff (Blackburn), Keane (Tottenham), Morrison (Birmingham), Barrett (Brighton).
