Michael Liddle has been in good form for the first team in pre-season

Sunderland defender Michael Liddle has been called up by the Republic of Ireland under-21s for the friendly with Austria in Vienna next Tuesday night.

Manager Roy Keane is delighted with the progress of the 18-year-old full-back, who has played a key role in Sunderland's pre-season campaign.

"The young players have done well," Keane told the official website.

"It's a real plus for us and I have no doubts that some of them will be able to handle it at the top level."

Liddle was a member of the Sunderland youth side that won their Academy Premier League group and reached the semi-finals of last season's FA Youth Cup.

Along with midfielders Jordan Henderson and Connor Hourihane, Liddle is expected to break into the Sunderland side in the Premier League this term.