Matt Doherty will be restricted to a supporting role in Ireland’s push for Euro 2020 qualification.
Although he is flying for Wolves at right wing-back, Mick McCarthy is reluctant to pair him and skipper Seamus Coleman together on the right flank.
He did not feel the experiment worked in Gibraltar, and claimed Doherty - who he signed for Wolves in 2010 - lacked a winger’s natural instincts.
And he’s unlikely to shift Doherty to left-back either as he rates Sheffield United’s Enda Stevens and is loathe to play players out of position.
“If I’ve got one as good as Enda then I won’t be doing that, that’s for sure,” said McCarthy.
Against Georgia, Robbie Brady started wide on the right ahead of Doherty who came on for the last nine minutes.
And asked how he made up his mind on the Coleman-Doherty conundrum, McCarthy said: “I didn’t have to.
“Seamus plays right-back every week. The Doc plays right wing back. And having played him on Saturday, I was never going to change it.
“It’s unfortunate for them but it’s not unfortunate for me because if one of them is injured I’ve got another good one.
“I played the pair of them and it didn’t work. So I’m playing Seamus and I’m afraid it’s just tough on the Doc. And if he gets in for any reason then it’s his place to keep.”
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