Harry Arter named in Martin O’Neill’s provisional Ireland squad

Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter has been selected in Martin O’Neill’s provisional 35-man Republic of Ireland squad for their upcoming Euro 2016 qualifying encounter with Poland, and are 11/8 with Coral to secure qualification.

The 25-year-old Championship star struck in five consecutive domestic league games last December, and that wonderful Winter form was enough to capture the attention of Ireland boss O’Neill.

Arter is the only new face that has been named in the squad for this month’s crucial clash with Adam Nawallka’s Group D leaders Poland. Five goalkeepers have been included, as well as Reading duo Simon Cox and Alex Pearce and Rotherham United midfielder Paul Green.

Among O’Neill’s five shot-stoppers is Aston Villa veteran Shay Given, who recently came out of international retirement at 38 years of age, while his clubmate Jack Grealish is an unsurprising exclusion, with uncertainty surrounding which country he will eventually choose to represent.

Ireland’s experienced manager is feeling confident ahead of his team’s tough upcoming clash, despite currently sitting in fourth position in their group, three points adrift of their next opponents Poland at the summit.

“We have reached a very important time in our qualifying campaign,” said O’Neill. “I am looking forward to assembling the squad for the first time this year in preparation for this game.”

Ireland will host unbeaten Group D table-toppers Poland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on March 29, as they aim to get their qualifying campaign back on track and recover from their sickening 1-0 defeat to Scotland in November. They are 16/1 to win Group D ahead of Germany and Poland.

Full Ireland squad: David Forde, Shay Given, Keiren Westwood, Darren Randolph, Rob Elliot, Richard Keogh, Marc Wilson, Seamus Coleman, Cyrus Christie, John O’Shea, Alex Pearce, Paul McShane, James McCarthy, Jeff Hendrick, Ciaran Clark, Stephen Ward, Harry Arter, Glenn Whelan, Darron Gibson, Paul Green, Aiden McGeady, Anthony Pilkington, James McClean, Wes Hoolahan, Robbie Brady, Stephen Quinn, David Meyler, Robbie Keane, Shane Long, Daryl Murphy, Jon Walters, Kevin Doyle, Anthony Stokes, Simon Cox, David McGoldrick.