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Anthony Stokes has been rewarded with a senior call-up for Ireland after impressing boss Giovanni Trapattoni in a friendly game last night.
Stokes played the full 90 minutes for an Ireland select XI against Nottingham Forest at Dalymount Park, creating the first goal in a 2-0 win.
And after impressing the watching national boss Trapattoni, the 20-year-old has been called up to the senior squad for their World Cup qualifier against Cyprus at Croke Park next Wednesday night.
Stokes joins Sunderland team-mates Andy Reid, Daryl Murphy and Liam Miler in the Ireland squad as the Italian today added three players from last night's friendly.
Hull's Caleb Folan, scorer of the first goal against Forest, and Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson have also been promoted to the senior ranks.
Stokes has so far won tree senior caps for Ireland - Reid currently has 28, Miller has 19 and Murphy eight.
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