Rovers defensive duo Darragh Lenihan and Derrick Williams have been left out of the Republic of Ireland squad for their upcoming fixtures.

Both were named in Stephen Kenny’s squad for the October fixtures as Rovers kept three clean sheets in their opening four fixtures.

For Williams, it was a first call-up in almost 12 months, with both defender’s having won two caps for their country.

Lenihan had to withdraw ahead of the October matches through injury, but it was expected that he would be called up for the three matches this month.

The same was expected for Williams, however his absence is likely down to the thigh injury he picked up in Rovers’ 0-0 draw with Middlesbrough in midweek.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed a fine start to the season, featuring in all five of Rovers’ clean sheets so far, but injury looks to have ended his international prospects for this upcoming break.

While Lenihan withdrew ahead of the last squad, Williams didn’t feature in any of Ireland’s three matches after being forced to self-isolate following issues with Covid symptoms which blighted the Irish squad last month.

Their hopes of qualifying for Euro 2020 ended with defeat on penalties in Slovakia, while they failed to score in their two Nations League qualifiers, drawing 0-0 with Wales and then losing 1-0 in Finland.

Their matches this month see them face England (November 12), Wales (November 15) and Bulgaria (November 18).

Boss Kenny has named just seven defenders in his squad, and only three centre halves, with Shane Duffy, John Egan and Kevin Long all called up.

The absence of Lenihan and Williams from the international fold mean it will just be Corry Evans (Northern Ireland) and Ryan Nyambe (Namibia) away with their countries during the break.