
Stoke City star added to Ireland squad as Heimir Hallgrimsson boosts competition ahead of Luxembourg draw
STOKE CITY'S Bosun Lawal has been added to the Ireland squad for Tuesday's friendly in Luxembourg.
The 22-year-old is brought in to boost competition in defence and midfield as boss
qualifiers
in September.
Dubliner Lawal missed much of last season with a back problem following his move from
But he is highly-rated by Irish management having been called up from the Under-21s last
summer
for the meeting with
And O'Shea, now assistant coach, revealed last week that it was only his lack of games at
He said: 'Bosun, (it's) a frustrating one because of how he trained with us last year.
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'You were really hopeful that he could obviously have that game time with Stoke and it was frustrating for him with the injury he picked up.
'But thankfully he was patient, because it was a tricky one because if you try and rush back from the injury that he'd had, he could suffer multiple injuries from it.
'So it took his time, frustrating not to get into the Stoke team in his ideal position either, but he played a few games towards the end of the season and was really impressive.
'I think it's only a matter of time before he will kick on like we expect.'
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Bosun Lawal has been added to the Ireland squad for the friendly against Luxembourg
Credit: Vid Ponikvar/Sportsfile

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Irish Daily Mirror
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Bosun Lawal has been added to the Ireland squad for Tuesday's friendly in Luxembourg. The Stoke City man trained with the rest of Heimir Hallgrimsson's squad in Dublin today before the team flight. Hallgrimsson has reported no fresh injury concerns ahead of the game, with Lawal bolstering the midfield options. Lawal, 22, was dogged by a back injury this season and last, and made just seven appearances for Stoke in the Championship. But the former Bohemians, Celtic and Fleetwood Town man wants to finish the season on a high with a first senior cap. Ireland assistant manager John O'Shea was asked about the former Ireland Under-21 international in the build-up to Friday's 1-1 draw with Senegal. And he said at the time: 'It's been a frustrating one for Bosun. He trained with us last year and you were really hopeful that he'd have that game time with Stoke. 'It was frustrating for him with the (back) injury he picked up, but thankfully he was patient. If you try and rush back, he could suffer multiple injuries from it. 'It was frustrating not to get into the Stoke team in his ideal position either, but he played a few games towards the end of the season and was really impressive.' O'Shea added: 'I think it's only a matter of time before he will kick on like we expect.'


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Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Stoke's Bosun Lawal called up to Ireland squad for Luxembourg friendly
Stoke City midfielder Bosun Lawal has joined the Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming friendly match against Luxembourg on Tuesday. The 22-year-old who previously earned 12 caps with Jim Crawford's Ireland U21 team, plays primarily as a holding midfielder but can operate as a centre back. Lawal's debut season at Stoke was hindered by a back injury that kept him out of action for a long period. He has made only six appearances after signing a four-year contract following three years at Celtic. However, manager Heimir Halgrimsson has clearly seen the midfielders potential, choosing to call him up to the squad in June of last year and now again for the upcoming friendly. Lawal developed his skills at St Kevin's and Bohemians before transferring to Watford in 2019. Hallgrimsson has decided to rest some key figures in the squad including Josh Cullen and Finn Azaz who will have a full offseason before the World Cup qualifier against Hungary on September 6. The 24-man squad trained this morning and will travel to Luxembourg later today. Read More 'Adam's role at Celtic is very different' - Hallgrimsson identifies Idah's Ireland challenge