World Cup squadIan Harte comes out of the international wilderness to rejoin the Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming Group Four World Cup qualifying games against Israel and the Faroe Islands.
However, neither Harte nor Steve Finnan have been named in the 22-man squad for the Jackie McNamara testimonial against Celtic on Sunday week at Celtic Park due to club commitments.
Harte is still with Spanish Primera League club Levante, while Finnan has the small matter of the Champions League final against AC Milan in Istanbul on May 25th before linking up with the squad.
Ireland play Israel on June 4th at Lansdowne Road and the Faroes four days later in Torshavn.
Harte's recall is a remarkable turnaround considering three months ago he publicly criticised for what he saw as a decision by Brian Kerr to freeze him out of the international scene.
"After they have completed their club commitments Ian Harte and Steve Finnan will join up with the squad on May 31st as we prepare for the Israel and Faroe games," said Kerr.
Steven Reid is another to return after the winger showed up well for Blackburn Rovers in the final part of the season.
The notable absentees are Manchester City centre back Richard Dunne, who is recovering from ankle surgery, and Cardiff City striker Alan Lee.
Damien Duff is expected to be fit ahead of the qualifiers as he is currently on tour with Chelsea in Asia.
Roy Keane, John O'Shea and Liam Miller all must come through Saturday's FA Cup final but the former two players are the only real concerns here as Miller is unlikely to feature at the Millennium Stadium.
The squad will assemble in Dublin on May 25th and 26th with Kerr holding his first press conference from the team base at Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links, on Friday, May 27th.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (Squad for Jackie McNamara testimonial, May 29th): S Given (Newcastle), P Kenny (Sheff Utd), J Murphy (West Brom), S Carr (Newcastle), G Breen (Sunderland), A O'Brien (Newcastle), K Cunningham (Birmingham), J O'Shea (Man Utd), A Maybury (Leicester), L Miller (Man Utd) Roy Keane (Man Utd), M Holland (Charlton), A Reid (Tottenham), S Reid (Blackburn), A Quinn (Sheff Utd), K Kilbane (Everton), G Kavanagh (Wigan), D Duff (Chelsea), Robbie Keane (Tottenham), S Elliott (Sunderland), G Doherty (Norwich), C Morrison (Birmingham).
