Shay Given is back for the Republic after a groin problem

Given missed last week's 4-0 friendly win over Denmark with a groin injury.

Lee Carsley returns after being left out for the Denmark game but Stephen Carr is out with a hamstring problem.

Wolves defender Kevin Foley gets his first senior call-up and Manchester United youngster Darron Gibson stays in the panel after an impressive debut.

Republic boss Steve Staunton is fully expecting Given to be available for the Group D games against Slovakia in Bratislava on 8 September and the Czech Republic in Prague four days later.

"Shay has been training since last Monday and doing very well," he said.

"He was on the bench against Middlesbrough on Sunday, so I don't expect any problems, but you never know.

"His experience speaks volumes, and Shay will have no problems regardless if he's played a game or not."

Foley is managed at club level by former Republic boss Mick McCarthy.

"Kevin has done very well at under-21 level and has settled in very quickly at Wolves," remarked Staunton.

"He's a very good footballer who can handle the ball very comfortably."

Behind runaway leaders Germany, the runner-up spot in the group is a battle between the Czechs, the Republic and the Slovakians.

With all three teams having five matches to play, the Czechs are a point clear of Staunton's team, who are a further four ahead of Slovakia.

Republic of Ireland squad: Colgan (Barnsley), Doyle (Birmingham City), Given (Newcastle Utd), Henderson, (Preston North End), Dunne (Man City), Finnan (Liverpool), Foley (Wolves), Kelly (Birmingham City), McShane (Sunderland), O'Shea (Man Utd), Carsley (Everton), Douglas (Leeds), Gibson (Man Utd), Hunt (Reading), Ireland (Man City), Kilbane (Wigan), McGeady (Celtic), O'Brien (Hibernian), Potter (Wolves), A Reid (Charlton), Doyle (Reading), Keane (Tottenham), Keogh (Wolves), Long (Reading), Murphy (Sunderland).