Steven Reid, Anthony Stokes and Andy O'Brien are all selected in the Republic of Ireland squad to play Wales in the final Euro 2008 qualifier in Cardiff on Saturday week.
Blackburn midfielder Reid returns after a 14-month spell on the sidelines with back and knee problems having last played for Ireland in the opening qualifier away to Germany over year ago.
"I am delighted that Steven is back to full fitness after his injury problems and it will be a big boost for us to have him in the squad," said Ireland's caretaker manager Don Givens.
Blackburn, though, may be less than pleased to have their player thrown into the mix so soon after returning from what was a nightmare spell on the treatment table.
Reid has only played a handful of games in the recent weeks.
He played a couple of behind closed door friendlies before negotiating 55 minutes of a reserve team game last week. Tonight he is due to face Manchester City's reserve team at Eastlands.
Speaking last week, Blackburn manager Mark Hughes said under no circumstances would Reid be rushed into playing.
"We are arranging games for him and he is improving his fitness every day, he's getting closer and closer," said Hughes.
"After waiting so long we are not prepared to rush him, although the temptation is there. It has been a long road for Steven and it will take as long as it takes."
Bolton defender O'Brien has not been involved since missing the home game against the Czech Republic last October through injury.
He was, however, a late call up as cover for the recent home qualifiers with Germany and Cyprus but withdrew before joining the squad with a kidney complaint.
"Andy has benefited from getting regular football at Bolton and that too will be a help," said Givens.
Goalkeeper Shay Given is included in the 22-man squad although he is nursing a groin problem and is still rated as an injury concern.
Veteran Nick Colgan is dropped as third choice goalkeeper and is replaced by Scunthorpe United's Joe Murphy who earned a senior cap against Turkey three years ago. Colin Doyle keeps his place.
Sunderland striker Anthony Stokes, who briefly fell out with under-21 boss Givens for missing a recent friendly game at that level, is elevated to senior ranks and will travel to Cardiff.
Both he and Givens will then link up with the under-21 squad for the European qualifier against Bulgaria in Athlone this day fortnight.
Former manager Steve Staunton turned to Liam Miller as late cover for last month's double-header but the Sunderland midfielder is in from the start under Givens.
But there is no room in the squad for Manchester City's Stephen Ireland who continues his exile from the squad.
"Stephen made the decision not to play for Ireland until he's sorted. Maybe he needs a little bit of time to get his head right and the future manager may be able to get that sorted out," Givens explained.
"I'm in charge for this one game and I felt it wasn't right to include Stephen in the squad because there has been no contact from him. The future manager can look at it differently - by then things may have changed. But I can't really comment on what might happen in the future."
Ireland celebrated his goal against Sunderland by dropping his shorts - revealing a pair of skimpy pants bearing the Superman logo.
Givens added: "I was at the game last night and I don't know what to make of the celebration. I scored a lot of goals and it never entered my head to do that - I don't know why he did it.
Meanwhile, Givens has no plans to apply for the post full-time.
The former QPR player added: "I made it clear when I took the job before I'm not interested in the senior job. I'm very happy working with the development stage of players and it's the same at this point."
Rep of Ireland: Given (Newcastle), J Murphy (Scunthorpe), C Doyle (Birmingham); Finnan (Liverpool), Kelly (Birmingham), Dunne (Man City), McShane (Sunderland), A O'Brien (Bolton), J O'Brien (Bolton), O'Shea (Man Utd); McGeady (Celtic), Carsley (Everton), Douglas (Leeds), S Reid (Blackburn), A Reid (Charlton), Miller (Sunderland), Hunt (Reading), Kilbane (Wigan); Keane (Tottenham), D Murphy (Sunderland), Stokes (Sunderland), K Doyle (Reading).
Rep of Ireland U21:Darren Randolph, Darren Quigley, Eddie Nolan, Richard Keogh, Darren O'Dea, Michael Spillane, Stephen Gleeson, Conor Powell, JJ O'Toole, Stephen O'Halloran, Owen Garvan, Stephen Quinn, Chris McCann, Jim O'Brien, Adam Rooney, Anthony Stokes, Conor Sammon, Keith Treacy, Billy Clarke
