Manchester City trio named in Ireland under-17 Euros squad but talks continue over Spurs striker Parrott

Troy Parrott’s involvement in next month’s under-17 European Championships remains up in the air after manager Colin O’Brien named 19 of his 20-man squad.

Four home-based players are named in the squad with the possibility of another being added on Tuesday when O’Brien finalises his squad.

Parrott only recently returned from a two-month spell out with a toe injury – which required an operation – and immediately hit goalscoring form for Spurs’ under-18s and 23s.

The striker has already featured for Ireland under-19s and was called up for the under-21s’ opening European qualifier against Luxembourg last month but pulled out injured.

And Spurs’ concerns over the toe injury look set to see the Buckingham Street boy remain in north London while his under-17 teammates host Greece, Belgium and the Czech Republic.

The club are not obliged to release Parrot to the international squad as the games don't fall inside the mandated international window.

An FAI statement read: “A decision will be made on the final player to complete the squad with O'Brien still in talks with Tottenham Hotspur over the possibility of playmaker Troy Parrott being involved.”

Manchester City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu and Derby County attacker Festy Ebosele are named after recently featuring in the under-21 and under-19 squads respectively.

Shamrock Rovers defender James Furlong features after making an assist on his senior debut in the Hoops’ 2-1 defeat to champions Dundalk on Friday night.

Also included are St Patrick’s Athletic midfielder Brandon Holt and Ronan McKinley of Derry City, while Ballinamallard United defender Sean McEvoy makes the cut too.

Manchester City have the most players in the squad, with Timi Sobowale and Joe Hodge completing their trio, while Charlie McCann of Manchester United also features.

"I can't stress it enough to the public, this really is the biggest competition that they can play in,” O’Brien said.

“It's the best of the best in Europe coming to Ireland - there is going to be some serious quality on the doorstep and we have some quality in our team as well/

"Even for our own development, to play in front of an Irish crowd, getting behind the team, we know how well our supporters get behind our teams, and we really need that.

“We will need that 12th man, because tournament football is demanding, you have three games in seven days.

"Every bit of support we can get, whether it is in Tallaght or coming down to the RSC, come out and support us."

Republic of Ireland Under-17 Squad

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Manchester City), Jimmy Corcoran (Preston North End), Harry Halwax (Derby County)

Defenders: Sean McEvoy (Ballinmallard United), Anselmo Garcia McNulty (Real Betis), Luke Turner (Aberdeen), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Timi Sobowale (Manchester City), James Furlong (Shamrock Rovers)

Midfielders: Charlie McCann (Manchester United), Joe Hodge (Manchester City), Brandon Holt (St Patrick's Athletic), Seamas Keogh (Southampton), Ronan McKinley (Derry City), Sean Kennedy (Sunderland), Festy Ebsoele (Derby County)

Forwards: Matt Everitt (Brighton & Hove Albion), Conor Carty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Joshua Giurgi (Norwich City)

Fixtures - Group A

Friday, May 3: Republic of Ireland v Greece, Tallaght Stadium, KO 19:00

Monday, May 6: Republic of Ireland v Czech Republic, RSC Waterford, KO 19:00

Thursday, May 9: Republic of Ireland v Belgium, Tallaght Stadium, KO 19:00