Richard Keogh has been named in the provisional Republic of Ireland squad for their final 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Moldova and Wales.
Alex Pearce has been named on the standby list by Martin O’Neill.
Republic of Ireland head into their crucial last round of fixtures just one point behind Wales in the fight for a play-off place in Group D, with Serbia’s four-point lead at the top of the group giving them pole position to take the automatic slot.
They face Moldova at the Aviva Stadium on Friday 6th October needing a positive result to keep themselves in the running and force a final showdown with Chris Coleman’s side at the Cardiff City Stadium three days later.
Keogh played the full 90 minutes in Ireland’s goalless draw against Wales in March and will be looking to earn his 19th international cap.
Pearce is yet to feature this campaign and – if confirmed in the final squad – will be aiming to make his first competitive appearance for his country.
