Mick McCarthy has all but ended Troy Parrott's hopes of being called up to the Republic of Ireland squad for the Euro 2020 play-off against Slovakia.
The Irish boss has stressed again the importance of calling up players who are playing regularly for their clubs, for the two-legged semi-final tie.
Speaking at the launch of the Elverys InterSport FAI Summer Schools, McCarthy sounded frustrated when asked if he was happy that the striker had signed a new deal with Tottenham.
"Not really," sighed McCarthy. "I wish he'd gone to Charlton and played games on loan.
"I don't know...it's great for him financially, he's got a new contract but [Jose Mourinho's] not letting him play is he?
"I'm not bothered what length of contract he's got or what it does. It's playing football that I need to see him.
"He was deprived of that because of his age at the end of it.
"It's great for him. Delighted! Thrilled! But I wish he was playing football somewhere because that would be much better for us."
McCarthy was clear when pressed as to whether Parrott's chances of making the squad for the play-off matches were ended due to him not sealing a loan move.
"Absolutely, yeah it was," added McCarthy. "Yeah, if he's not playing, if he's not playing competitive football, he's got very little chance of playing in the squad."
McCarthy has said will be keeping a close eye on Shane Long who has returned to form with Southampton while he also plans to go and watch James McCarthy in action for Crystal Palace before his squad announcement on March 16.
The Irish manager noted the form of Millwall's Jayson Molumby and other Irish under-21 internationals plying their trade in the English Championship but their chances of being called up are quite slim.
"I'm not saying there's no chance for anybody else but the best performance we had [in the group] was against Denmark and that team, the players had been tried and tested .The players had been around the squad," said McCarthy.
"I'm convinced, I know it's not a game for debutants to come in and be expecting to play.
"It's always exciting, it's a new story, it's great for you guys if they come in but if they come in and it doesn't go well for them...I don't know too many debutants who come in and play in a play-off game."
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