Martin O'Neill named a provisional 40-man squad for the Republic of Ireland's forthcoming friendlies on Friday as he steps ups his preparations for Euro 2016.

O'Neill's side will host Switzerland and Slovakia in Dublin on March 25 and March 29 in the Republic's first games since they qualified for this year's European Championships in France.

Included for the first time are Wolves defender Matt Doherty, Aberdeen midfielder Jonathan Hayes and Peterborough's Chris Forrester.

The squad, which also includes uncapped Brentford midfielder Alan Judge and America-based strikers Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle, will be shortened ahead of assembling for the friendlies on March 20.

"The countdown to Euro 2016 starts now for us and we look forward to welcoming both Switzerland and Slovakia to the Aviva Stadium for what will be two very important games for us," Republic manager O'Neill said.

"Both myself and my staff have been incredibly busy since qualification last November scouting and monitoring as many players as possible.

"I know that I will have a very tough decision to name a final squad for Euro 2016 and that is why I want to give players a chance to impress."

O'Neill's team will face Belgium, Italy and Sweden in the group stage of the tournament in France.

Republic of Ireland squad to face Switzerland and Slovakia:

Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (West Ham), David Forde (Millwall), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Rob Elliot (Newcastle)

Defenders: Cyrus Christie (Derby), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Richard Keogh (Derby), John O'Shea, (Sunderland), Alex Pearce (Bristol City, on loan), Shane Duffy (Blackburn), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Paul McShane (Reading), Stephen Ward (Burnley), Greg Cunningham (Preston), Matt Doherty (Wolves)

Midfielders: Robbie Brady (Norwich), James McCarthy (Everton), Jeff Hendrick (Derby), Darron Gibson (Everton), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Eunan O'Kane (Bournemouth), Glenn Whelan (Stoke), Paul Green (Rotherham), Stephen Gleeson (Birmingham), David Meyler (Hull), Stephen Quinn (Reading), Aiden McGeady (Sheffield Wednesday, on loan), James McClean (West Brom), Alan Judge (Brentford), Jonathan Hayes (Aberdeen), Chris Forrester (Peterborough), Anthony Pilkington (Cardiff), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich)

Strikers: Jonathan Walters (Stoke), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Shane Long (Southampton), Daryl Murphy (Ipswich), Kevin Doyle (Colorado Rapids), Anthony Stokes (Celtic), Simon Cox (Reading)