Brentford’s Judge earns first Ireland call-up

Brentford midfielder Alan Judge has the chance to win his first international cap after being named in the Republic of Ireland squad for this week’s crucial Euro 2016 qualifiers.

Judge will hope to play against Germany in Dublin on Thursday and in Poland on Sunday, games that will decide whether the Irish still have the chance to reach next summer’s tournament.

The 26-year-old has played for Ireland at Under-18, Under-19, Under-21 and Under-23 levels and is now called up to the full squad for the first time having been placed on standby for previous matches.

Judge, who was born in Dublin, scored three goals and laid on 17 assists last season and already has three goals and three assists this campaign.