Wayne Henderson's bid to keep Albion in the Championship has been boosted by promotion to the Republic of Ireland senior squad.

The Seagulls' No. 1 has been selected alongside stars such as Roy Keane and Damien Duff for the friendly against Sweden in his home city of Dublin on March 1.

Meanwhile, Henderson's Albion predecessor Michel Kuipers has returned to Boston United on a month's loan.

Former under-21 regular Henderson joins Newcastle keeper Shay Given and Sheffield United's Paddy Kenny in the squad for Steve Staunton's first match in charge of the Republic since succeeding Brian Kerr as manager last month.

"I didn't have a clue the squad was being announced," Henderson said.

"I'm surprised it has come so quickly but I feel I have showed people what I can do this season.

"The whole reason for me coming to Brighton was to further my ambitions. This is a good chance for me and it's great that the game is in Dublin.

"I'll probably be on the bench but it's brilliant for me to get involved."

Henderson joined Albion permanently from Aston Villa during the January transfer window following a successful three-month loan.

The 22-year-old, among five new faces named by Staunton for the friendly at Lansdowne Road, has been chosen ahead of Reading's Graham Stack and Barnsley's Nick Colgan.

Kuipers was on loan to League Two outfit Boston in December to aid his recovery from a serious shoulder injury.

The big Dutchman has not featured in Albion's first team squad since reacting angrily towards manager Mark McGhee when Henderson took over from him for the home game against Burnley on January 31.

Kuipers goes straight back into the Boston side against Wycombe Wanderers tomorrow, while youngster Richard Martin continues on the bench as cover to Henderson for Watford's visit to Withdean.

McGhee believes the absence of Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster could prove significant.

Foster and former Seagull Darius Henderson are suspended after they were sent-off in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Leeds, which ended Watford's six-match winning streak.

"I think we are helped by their goalkeeper being suspended," McGhee said. "I think he is a major part of their attacking play.

"We talk about our need for good distribution and his distribution is top drawer. They have really benefited from his kicking and throwing.

"Darius Henderson has apparently been in great form and a great foil for Marlon King. He is suspended as well, so I think we are catching them at as good a time as we could recently, given the form they are in."

Albion's 18-year-old leftback Joe Lynch faces a late fitness test on a leg injury sustained at Norwich on Tuesday.

Seb Carole's recovery from ankle trouble has gone better than expected and the French right winger could be back in contention.

Adam Hinshelwood's suspension for his red card at Norwich is offset by Dean Hammond's return from a one-match ban.

Republic of Ireland squad: Given (Newcastle), Kenny (Sheff Utd), Henderson (Brighton), Breen (Sunderland), Harte (Levante), Finnan (Liverpool), A O'Brien (Portsmouth), Dunne (Man City), Miller (Leeds), Kilbane (Everton), Reid (Blackburn), Duff (Chelsea), Keane (Tottenham), Morrison (Crystal Palace), Kavanagh (Wigan), Doyle (Reading), Ireland (Man City), Elliott (Sunderland), Lawrence (Sunderland), J O'Brien (Bolton), Kelly (Tottenham), O'Shea (Man Utd), Douglas (Leeds).