Ireland Under-21s Head Coach Jim Crawford has named a 23-man squad for crucial U21 European Championship Qualifiers against Norway and Italy next week.

St. Patrick’s Athletic’s Mason Melia is rewarded for his impressive form in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division with a first call-up to an Under-21 squad. 

There is also a return to the squad for defenders Tayo Adaramola and Connor O’Brien. 

Andrew Moran and Mark O’Mahony, who both scored in last night’s EFL Championship fixture between Stoke City and Portsmouth also make the squad.

Bosun Lawal is still ruled out through injury as are Zak Gilsenan, Sean Grehan, Conor Carty and Adam Murphy, who have all featured during the campaign and all working their way back to full fitness.

The squad is set to meet up later this week, training in Dublin before travelling to Cork where they’ll take on Norway at Turner’s Cross (kick-off 7pm)

The young Boys in Green then fly out to Italy for their final qualifying game in Trieste.

Ireland currently sit in second spot in Group A knowing two wins, against tough opposition, will see them qualify for a first ever U21 European Championships.

A victory over the Norwegians on Friday week would seal a play-off place. 

More than 2,000 fans have already secured their seat for the game with tickets available for purchase here.

Tickets to the game are priced €10 for adults, €5 for juniors with a family ticket priced €25 (two adults, two juniors).

 Republic of Ireland Under-21s Squad

Goalkeepers: Tiernan Brooks (Gateshead), Killian Cahill (Brighton & Hove Albion), Josh Keeley (Leyton Orient, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur)

Defenders: James Abankwah (Udinese), Emmanuel Adegboyega (Dundee United, on loan from Norwich City), Tayo Adaramola (Stockport County, on loan from Crystal Palace) Sam Curtis (Peterborough United, on loan from Sheffield United), Anselmo Garcia-MacNulty (PEC Zwolle), Connor O’Brien (Accrington Stanley), Connor O’Riordan (Cambridge United, on loan from Blackburn Rovers), Sean Roughan (Lincoln City)

Midfielders: Baba Adeeko (Wigan Athletic), Matt Healy (Royal Francs Borains), Joe Hodge (Huddersfield Town, on loan from Wolves), Andrew Moran (Stoke City, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), Killian Phillips (St. Mirren, on loan from Crystal Palace), Rocco Vata (Watford)

Forwards: Sinclair Armstrong (Bristol City), Aidomo Emakhu (Millwall), Johnny Kenny (Shamrock Rovers), Mason Melia (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Mark O’Mahony (Portsmouth, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), Franco Umeh (Crystal Palace)

UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier (Kick-Off time is Irish time) 

Friday, October 11 | Ireland U21 v Norway U21, Turner's Cross Stadium, Cork, Kick-Off 7pm.
Tuesday, October 15 | Italy U21 v Ireland U21, Stadio Nereo Rocco, Trieste, Italy, Kick-Off 5.30pm