WILL Smallbone has received his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad, with three of his Saints team-mates also included.
Smallbone, who has represented his country at under-18 and under-19 level, has been called into Jim Crawford's squad for a training camp based in Northern Ireland next week.
The highly-rated midfielder, 20, has been rewarded for a breakthrough season at Saints, having made nine Premier League appearances in 2019-20.
He is joined in the squad by fellow Saints first-team member Michael Obafemi.
The striker, who has one senior cap, netted four goals for Saints last season.
Fellow Saints youngsters Will Ferry and Thomas O'Connor are also in the 25-man squad.
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