Martin O'Neill is refusing to rule James McCarthy out of the Republic of Ireland's crunch World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Wales - at the player's insistence.
The 26-year-old has not managed a single minute of competitive football for club Everton this season as he attempts to shake off a persistent knee injury, and he has been warned by manager Ronald Koeman to put club before country after being called up by Ireland.
Koeman and O'Neill have been engaged in something of a feud since McCarthy aggravated a hamstring injury on international duty in March having earlier arrived with a groin problem.