Colin Doyle in action for the Republic of Ireland against Ecuador in 2007

Blues goalkeeper Colin Doyle has been called up as a late replacement to the Republic of Ireland squad.

Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland side play Bulgaria in a World Cup qualifying fixture in Sofia on Saturday.

His inclusion has come about following Dean Kiely's withdrawal from the Ireland squad last Thursday.

Doyle and Preston keeper Wayne Henderson will be understudies to number one stopper Shay Given in the Bulgarian capital.

To date Doyle has a solitary senior cap to his name.

Ireland go into Saturday's game in second place in the Group eight table, two points behind leaders Italy and five ahead of third placed Bulgaria.