"Jim Gavin's got to bring him in," Kieran Donaghy argued ahead of Rory O'Carroll's possible return to inter-county action with Dublin.
Laying out the potential importance of the Kilmacud Crokes man in Dublin's drive-for-five, Donaghy recalled his own battles with O'Carroll, and why he believes the full-back's absence from the panel will not have dampened his effectiveness.
"He's one of these typical Dubs who no matter how long he's away he keeps himself in good shape," Donaghy stated on the Shot Clock this week.
"Back in training now with Kilmacud, and I'm sure his phone is going to be hopping soon."
Describing the impact Rory O'Carroll could have in clearing up some of the unusual errors that have emerged in Dublin's game throughout the earlier games of the National League, Donaghy doubled-down on his assertion that Jim Gavin may already have got the process underway.
"He's a tough bit of stuff, trust me," Donaghy noted, "and I would say if he gets two months into him he'll be some option for Dublin in the summer."
"I wouldn't be quite so sure that Jim hasn't had a nice little quiet phone-call and said, 'look, go back with the lads and get your five or six weeks in, dip your toe back in the water and once you're moving well we'll call you back in.
"I would say that phone-call was made even if we didn't hear about it."
A little over three-years since winning his last All-Ireland with Dublin, questions may rise regarding how ready Rory O'Carroll would be for the demands of inter-county football.
Yet, Donaghy is not in the least bit concerned by such concerns.
"I saw Rory O'Carroll absolutely melt some fella last night out in New Zealand," Donaghy reassured.
"He was playing football out in New Zealand ... and plus, what touch do you need to be a full-back?
"Just go out and kill all round you and Rory will be well-able for that."
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