IPSWICH defender Alex Bruce has received his first full call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad.Bruce has been on standby before but has never been in the squad.

IPSWICH defender Alex Bruce has received his first full call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad.

Bruce has been on standby before but has never been in the squad.

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Staunton has included nine uncapped players, including Bruce, in the squad for the two-match trip to the USA later this month.

The first match against Ecuador will take place in New York's Giants Stadium on May 23, with the Bolivia match due to be played in Boston's Gillette Stadium three days later.