Stoke City manager Michael O'Neill claims that James McClean is not fit enough to play in this month's World Cup qualifiers.
The 31-year old was named in Stephen Kenny's squad for the Group A games with Serbia, Luxembourg and Qatar.
However, McClean has missed Stoke's last six Championship games with a foot injury, and will again be a spectator when Derby County visit the Bet 365 Stadium on Saturday.
The former Derry City and Sunderland winger only began light training this week.
And his club manager says he's surprised that McClean has been named in the Ireland squad by Stephen Kenny.
"For me, he’s not fit. I don’t think he’s fit enough to be part of that squad," O'Neill told the Stoke Sentinel.
“It’s up to Ireland to assess him, they have the right to do that. That’s the rules of international football.
“But he’s not trained with us. He was out doing a bit of running today and it was the first time he’s done that.
"He’s three weeks into the rehabilitation process with the injury and I’m surprised that Ireland have called him up.
“If we had a game on Wednesday night, for example, like Ireland have, James wouldn’t be fit for that game.”
McClean made no secret of his delight at being called up, posting a picture of an Ireland jersey on Instagram with the caption, "Looking forward to meeting up with the lads on Sunday. Big campaign ahead, always an honour".
Adding to O'Neill's concerns is the looming threat of coronavirus.
McClean missed two games for the Potters having tested positive for COVID-19 during the November international break.
O'Neill told a press conference, "We had the situation previously when James came back, he had a positive test from his previous international and subsequently then missed three or four games for us.
"I don't think they're a much higher risk... I know that the international associations have put a lot of work in to make sure that the bubble they operate in is secure as possible.
"But these games have to be played. These are important games in March - they're World Cup qualifying games, and players want to go and represent their country.
"So we just have to accept that that's the way it's going to be."
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