REPUBLIC of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill hopes Harry Arter will be “pleasantly surprised” by his first international call-up.

Londoner Arter, eligible for the Republic through his grandparents, has been included in O'Neill's provisional 35-man squad for the Euro 2016 qualifier against Poland later this month.

The crunch Group D clash against the table-toppers takes place at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, March 29 (7.45pm).

O’Neill told the Irish Independent: “He is having a very good season. It would be nice to have a look at him.

“He's obviously played at underage level and I wanted to introduce another fresh face - there's no guarantees of anything. I've met him twice now and I think he deserves that chance.

“This might be a surprise to him as I didn't say anything to him. He will, hopefully, be pleasantly surprised.”

The Republic are currently fourth in the standings but sit on seven points alongside second-placed Germany and third-placed Scotland, while Poland lead the way on 10 points.

There are six games left of the qualifying campaign ahead of next year's finals in France.

A £4,000 signing from non-league Woking in 2010, Arter recently admitted that promotion with Cherries and an international debut would be "the perfect season".

The 25-year-old could, in theory, come up against Cherries keeper Artur Boruc in Dublin.

The Republic squad will be reduced ahead of assembling on March 22.