West Brom's Jayson Molumby to sit out of Ireland duty after suspension omission

The battling Baggies midfielder was omitted from the Emerald Isle squad list for the upcoming Nations League double-header against Bulgaria.

Molumby, 25, has picked up two yellow cards in this season's Nations League campaign, which means he is suspended for one Ireland fixture and has not been included in boss Heimir Hallgrímsson's 23-man squad.

Albion winger Mikey Johnston has been included in the squad.

The Republic have a two-legged tie against Bulgaria in a promotion/relegation play-off contest to remain League B, the second tier of Nations League. Ireland finished bottom of their group, which featured England, and Bulgaria finished second in one of the League C groups.

The first leg, which Molumby would be suspended for, is in Bulgaria before the Aviva Stadium comeback. The former Brighton midfielder, born in Cappoquin in southern Ireland, is a regular inclusion in the squad but will not add to his 29 caps.

Molumby remained an unused substitute in the draw at Burnley on Tuesday night while sitting on nine yellow cards - one caution from a two-match suspension. The deadline for that punishment has now passed.

Winger Johnston has two goals in 13 Ireland caps.

A much-changed squad includes Southampton midfielder Will Smallbone. Other midfielders are ex-Baggies academy graduate Finn Azaz, Josh Cullen, Jason Knight and Mark Sykes.

Confirmation of Albion call-ups as of Thursday afternoon include Grady Diangana (DR Congo), Torbjorn Heggem (Norway), Callum Styles (Hungary) and Isaac Price (Northern Ireland).

It remains to be whether Tom Fellows will receive a call from England under-21s, who have a fixture at The Hawthorns against Portugal on Monday week.