That Mick McCarthy doesn't Judge a book by it's cover is a boost to one Dubliner in the Ireland squad.
Alan Judge is one of three players in McCarthy's panel this week plying his trade in League One. But that won't dissuade the Ireland boss from using the 31-year-old against Denmark on Monday.
The Ipswich midfielder came off the bench in June against the Danes and set up Shane Duffy's late equaliser - then lost four months to a wrist injury after colliding with Jens Stryger Larsen as the final whistle blew.
"You kind of feel, did he need to do it? I’ve watched it back but it’s 50-50, it’s football," Judge reflected.
Having previously lost almost two years to leg injuries, he could do little more than run in pre-season training.
"You don't realise how much you need your hands for everything - your gym work, your power work," he said. "I could do nothing like that for four months. Physically I went really skinny.
"On holiday, my missus had to cut my food because my hand was still in a sling. The kids were feeding me! It's funny, but you literally need your hands for everything.
"It was difficult, but hopefully I'm through it now."
Working his way back to full fitness, Judge was ready to come on against Switzerland in Geneva a month ago just as Seamus Coleman was red carded.
"The gaffer turned and looked at me," recalled Judge. "I just said, ‘Yeah I understand’ and sat down."
Instead, a ninth senior cap will come against New Zealand tomorrow.
“He (McCarthy) has used me, it's good," remarked Judge. "He told me once or twice than I’m in his thoughts to start games because I’ve done alright.
"Obviously everyone wants to play but I’d really, really love us to get to the Euros."
Judge told Ipswich boss Marcus Evans in July that he wanted to leave as QPR tabled a bid, but the Tractor Boys were determined to keep him.
He also had to deal with the fact that his daughter, Emily, had an operation over the summer and must have another one.
"A lot of things have gone on, with a few Championship teams coming in for me, my daughter needed two operations (at hospitals) based in London, and I lived right beside it.
"I missed pre-season. I came back sooner than I should have, wasn’t fit enough. Now I feel like I’m there, on the other side of it."
There's no inferior complex now that he's experiencing life in League One.
"I always feel that when I’ve played for Ireland I’ve contributed in some way, so that gives you confidence," Judge said.
"You want to play at the highest level you can. I still think I can or else I wouldn’t have gotten back in and around the Irish team.
"I’m thinking, 'one year in League One, we’ll be back in the Championship' - and with the way we're going, that looks good.
“The main thing is it hasn’t been a barrier to the manager. He’s still picked me.
"Championship teams still think I can play in the Championship, so I feel like I'm a Championship player. But it’s for me to show that now, as I've done before".
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