Ireland’s Jaden Umeh celebrates his goal against Panama(Image: Inpho)
Teenager star Jaden Umeh has been withdrawn from Ireland’s training camp in Spain by his club Benfica.
The Cork 18-year-old, was one of nine uncapped players named in Heimir Hallgrimsson’s experimental 21-man squad.
The panel are in Murcia, ahead of Saturday’s clash with Grenada, but Benfica have refused to allow Umeh to take part.
As the Grenada game falls outside the FIFA window, clubs don’t have to release players.
“They are fighting in their under-19 to be in the UEFA Youth League. Unfortunately, the result didn’t go their way. He still has one more game to play,” said Hallgrimsson.
“We knew that before, that this was a possibility, even though it was unlikely. But unlucky for him, the results went not in their favour so we have to wait until we can work with him.”
Ireland underage ace Umeh was the only player selected still in season. He can play on the wing and up front. Umeh starred for Ireland at the U17 World Cup in Qatar late last year and was recently promoted to Jim Crawford’s U21 team.
Crawford is in Spain to assist Hallgrimsson and John O’Shea for the Spanish camp, as regular Ireland coach Paddy McCarthy is still in season with Crystal Palace.
The under-21 boss has also had an influence on selection, with Rory Finneran of Newcastle called in.
Finneran joined Newcastle from Blackburn Rovers in 2024 and has played for the Republic of Ireland at under-17 and under-19 level. He is called into the squad following the injury withdrawals of Cardiff City defender Joel Bagan and Ipswich Town winger Kasey McAteer.
Heimir Hallgrimsson(Image: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Hallgrimsson revealed: “I have to admit, that’s more Jim calling the shots there. He talked really highly of this kid and his potential. We thought it was a good chance for him to come in and Newcastle allowed him to come. I have only seen him one session and he’s been really good.”
The Icelandic coach has revelled in the opportunity to work with players in a longer camp this week in Murcia. Bar maybe a handful of players, he will name an entirely different squad for the May 28 friendly with Qatar in Dublin and the clash away to Canada on June 6.
“I’ve absolutely loved it, been all kinds of weather,” he said. “The facilities are great. We are isolated so we can focus on what we are doing. We have had a lot of individual focus, try to help players take the next step in their careers and getting closer to what we are doing.
“It’s an off-season and a relaxed kind of atmosphere. That’s what has surprised me the most – how focused and disciplined they have been.
“The biggest advantage of a camp like this is, you can find one or two or three or even more players you think even more positively of in the future. It’s a chance for them to show, in a really good environment, what they can do.
“Because we have an eight day lead-up to the match, we can work more with the individual than we can in a normal camp when you have two or three days to prepare for a match. That’s basically team building and tactical work.
“Now we have had a chance with our team to work technically with players to help them take an extra step, both in their careers and with us as well. It’s been a different camp more individual based.”