Duff has played eight games for Newcastle in recent weeks

Duff has not played for the Republic since suffering a foot injury last April but he is included in a 21-man squad by caretaker boss Don Givens.

Andy O'Brien and Steven Reid are in the squad after being injured for the Euro 2008 qualifier against Wales.

Shane Long is also recalled after missing that game because of a ban but Stephen Ireland remains an absentee.

Manchester City midfielder Ireland has not played for the Republic since withdrawing from the squad for the games against Germany and Cyprus in October.

Back then, Ireland said that he "would not do his country or himself justice" following his controversial withdrawal from the Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic.

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The midfielder pulled out of the Prague game citing the death of a grandmother but later admitted he had made it up as he wanted to be with his partner who had suffered a miscarriage.

Duff hasn't played for Ireland since the 1-0 win over Slovakia last March and caretaker boss Don Givens described the Newcastle player's inclusion as a "boost".

"There is no doubt he was sorely missed during the final stages of the Euro 2008 campaign," added Givens.

"Everybody is starting to focus on the start of the World Cup qualifying campaign in September.

"It is great to start our preparations for the campaign with a game against Brazil and should be a fabulous evening at Croke Park," said Givens.

Given (Newcastle), Murphy (Scunthorpe), Doyle (Birmingham City), Kelly (Birmingham), O'Shea (Man Utd), A O'Brien (Bolton), J O'Brien (Bolton), Kilbane (Wigan), Dunne (Man City), McShane (Sunderland), Carsley (Everton), A Reid (Charlton), S Reid (Blackburn), McGeady (Celtic), Hunt (Reading), Miller (Sunderland), Duff (Newcastle), Keane (Tottenham), Doyle (Reading), Long (Reading), Murphy (Sunderland).