Anthony Stokes has been called into the Ireland squad to face Wales on February 8.
It is the first time that he has been included in Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad since moving from Hibs to Celtic.
Stokes scored his 12th goal of the season on Saturday in Celtic’s 1-0 win over Aberdeen to join Gary Hooper at the top of the scoring charts.
The game against Wales will kick-off the Carling Cup at the Aviva Stadium with Scotland playing Northern Ireland the following night.
Trapattoni said: “I am looking forward to the opening game of the Carling Nations Cup against Wales.
“This competition provides our players with familiar and tough opponents and the added competitive edge to the tournament is the perfect preparation for our EURO qualifying campaign.”
Darren O’Dea and Aiden McGeady are also included in the 29 man squad which is captained by Robbie Keane.
The squad will gather together in Dublin on February 6 with Stokes joining up later in the day after the Rangers-Celtic cup-tie at Ibrox.
Richie Towell is in the Ireland u-21 squad that faces Cyprus on February 9.
FULL SQUAD: Shay Given, Keiren Westwood, John O’Shea, Ciaran Clark, Seamus Coleman, Richard Dunne, Sean St. Ledger, Kevin Foley, Kevin Kilbane, Stephen Kelly, Darren O’Dea, Paul McShane, Marc Wilson, Darron Gibson, Glenn Whelan, Paul Green, Liam Lawrence, Stephen Hunt, Aiden McGeady, Keith Treacy, Damien Duff, Keith Fahey, Robbie Keane, Jonathan Walters, Kevin Doyle, Shane Long, Andy Keogh, Leon Best, Anthony Stokes
Razor Ruddock blasts the cheats.
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Well done to Stokes, fully deserves it!