James Mcclean has been called up into the Republic of Ireland squad for Saturday’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Holland, leaving Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson another player down in the left wing-back position at Accrington Stanley on the same day.
McClean was duo to represent his country for the 103rd and final time in next Tuesday’s friendly against New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium after announcing his retirement in October.
Having missed Wrexham’s 2-0 home win against Gillingham last weekend after serving a one-match ban, the 34-year-old was set to return to the side against Accrington at The Crown Ground on Saturday but he will now miss the League Two clash as he has been drafted into the Ireland squad earlier than expected.
With McClean absent again the Gills when Wrexham extended the unbeaten run to 11 games in all competitions and climbed up to second in League Two, Jacob Mendy started at left wing-back.
However, Mendy is now on international duty with Gambia and was an unused substitute as his national team began their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-2 defeat against Burundi on Thursday.
Mendy, yet to make his debut for Gambia, will remain with the squad ahead of Monday’s clash with Ivory Coast meaning he’s not available for Wrexham at Accrington who are eighth in the standings.
Although Bryce Hosannah and Callum McFadzean can’t feature in the league until January at the earliest, Parkinson still has options on the left flank having seen Liam McAlinden and Anthony Forde play there in the past while midfielder Jordan Davies began his career in a more defensive role and there are youngsters he can call on.
McClean, who joined Wrexham in August from Wigan Athletic and scored his first goal in the 2-1 EFL Trophy win against Port Vale before serving a suspension, is now in contention for another Ireland run-out in Saturday’s match in Amsterdam with Will Smallbone and Festy Ebosele ruled out through injury.
He started in the previous fixture against the Dutch, which saw them just edged out in a 2-1 defeat at the Aviva Stadium.
The selection will see his farewell from international football extended, after announcing his retirement plans last month.
A Football Association of Ireland statement said: “Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has called up James McClean for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier against the Netherlands.
“The Ireland centurion was set to come into the squad for the New Zealand friendly, his final appearance in a green shirt, but he will now travel with the squad to Amsterdam for the qualifier.
“Will Smallbone and Festy Ebosele will not travel with the squad due to injury and have been ruled out of both matches in this window, having returned to their respective clubs.”
