Terry Dixon

Stephen Staunton had previously indicated that there would be a surprise or two in his squad and he certainly did create quite a stir with the inclusion of sixteen year old Tottenham Hotspur youngster Terry Dixon. It is quite likely that there would have been further young inclusions had not Sean McCaffrey's Under 19 squad been engaged in the Elite Qualifying stage of the European Championships.

Dixon, who recovered from injury to play a starring role in the recent Under 17 European Championship qualifiers, is an exciting striker with excellent technique and is physically strong. Born in London, Dixon qualifies through his mother who hails from Cavan. His father Darren is a huge supporter of his son and he was ecstatic and almost speechless following Terry’s' inclusion in the squad.

As expected, Andy Reid returns to the squad following his recovery from injury and he is joined by strikers Jason Byrne of Shelbourne, who gained his one previous cap in Poland and Ipswich Town's Galway native Alan Lee. The Coventry City midfielder Michael Doyle has also been included as has Aiden McGeady of Glasgow Celtic, who is a member of the Under 21 squad which travels to Azerbaijan later this week.