Sean Scannell's rise from academy player to professional teenage starlet was confirmed this week as he was named in the full Republic of Ireland squad for the first time.

The 18-year-old was originally named in a 40-man squad by Giovanni Trappatoni for a forthcoming training camp in Portugal, and was kept in the squad by the Italian as he trimmed it to 28.

One man left disappointed is striker Clinton Morrison though, who was not named in the 28 despite scoring 16 goals for the Eagles this term.

Ireland will play Serbia and Colombia in friendlies on May 24 and 29 and if Scannell makes his full debut it will mark an incredible 12 months for the teenager, who only made his Palace debut as a substitute against Queens Park Rangers in early December.