Manchester United defender Diane Caldwell will miss international duty with the Republic of Ireland next month with a thigh injury.
The Girls in Green are scheduled to take on Sweden in their latest FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 qualifier in Gothenburg on 12 April.
The Football Association of Ireland, The FAI, announced head coach Vera Pauw’s 27-player squad this morning with Manchester United defender Caldwell being a notable absentee. The injury forced Caldwell to miss Manchester United’s 3-1 victory over Everton at Old Trafford at the weekend and she now also seems set to be sidelined for the Brighton & Hove Albion game this weekend.
Other notable absentees from the latest Republic of Ireland selection include forwards Emily Whelan (Birmingham City) and Saoirse Noonan (Durham – on loan at Shelbourne).
Republic of Ireland head coach Pauw has handed a first international call-up to London City Lionesses midfielder Lily Agg. The player qualifies to represent The Girls in Green through her Cork-born grandmother. Agg previously trained with the national team in April 2021 and she has been a consistent performer for her club this season.
Pauw’s side are currently second place in their qualification group, eight points adrift of leaders Sweden ahead of next month’s fixture.