Mick McCarthy hasn't abandoned hope of Shane Duffy and David McGoldrick making his Republic of Ireland squad for this month's Euro 2020 qualifiers.
Neither have been named in his 24-man squad for the games away to Georgia and Switzerland, Duffy has a calf issue while McGoldrick is nursing a hamstring muscle injury.
But McCarthy is hopeful that Duffy in particular can recover in time:
“I’m still holding out for Duffer, there is a bit of optimism there. He was saying four to six weeks but, after a scan, he told me he didn’t think it would be that long.
“I think it was Georgia at home, he had a groin strain and could have been out and he told me he’d be fine and he was. So I’ve a bit of optimism about him.
“Players will always give me the best case scenario – I like that from players. But until I get an absolute no from the him or the club, I will have that bit of optimism.”
Blackburn defensive duo Greg Cunningham and Darragh Lenihan are both called up, with Enda Stevens suspended for the game in Tblisi.
"Terry Connor has been to watch Darragh and Greg play for Blackburn and they have shown him they will be good additions for this squad," McCarthy said of their inclusion.
"Enda Stevens is suspended for the game in Tbilisi against Georgia and Greg is one of the most experienced left-backs available to us. He was with us in the summer and he knows what we want.
"We've watched Darragh a number of times and Terry and the other scouts like his footballing ability. He has been in and around the squad before so I look forward to working with him.
"We have injuries and suspensions and I know that better than anyone. But there’s nothing I can do about them. It happens in football.
"That’s why we changed almost the entire team for the Bulgaria game last month and look how well the players who came in like Josh, Alan Browne, John Egan and Kevin Long did.
"They put their hands up for selection and gave me something to think about. Now it’s time to think about them for Georgia and I look forward to getting back on the training ground on Monday and starting the countdown to these two massive games in earnest."
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