Luca Connell is out of the Republic of Ireland squad to face Denmark and Gibraltar after picking up a thigh injury in training.
The Liverpudlian, 18, impressed Mick McCarthy at the team’s week-long training camp in Portugal.
But the soon to be out-of-contract Bolton Wanderers midfielder left the squad’s Dublin base today.
McCarthy said: “Luca has a thigh strain. But he’s been excellent. He has a lovely personality about him and is a really pleasant young fella.
“He stood up, and stood out, in training and I was very impressed with him. I’ve just seen him giving all the lads a hug and everyone took to him.
“It’s sad for him to be going.”
Connell has played all of his underage football with Ireland but is believed to be on England’s long-term radar.
Speaking in Portugal last week, he insisted he would have donned the green shirt if picked - but speculation over his international intentions will rage now.
Quizzed on the value of the Portuguese training camp, McCarthy said he learned a lot more about his players.
“I learned what a good bunch of lads they are and what good players we have and I said that to them this morning,” he added.
“Irish teams play a certain way but over and above that, we’ve some really quality players and I’ve been able to see that on a daily basis.”
Meanwhile, McCarthy isn’t convinced that Denmark star Christian Eriksen’s Champions League final exertions will diminish his impact in Copenhagen on Friday next.
McCarthy laughed: “Only if someone clubs him!.”
The Ireland boss also confirmed that he has no intention of experimenting once again with Matt Doherty and Seamus Coleman in the same starting team.
Republic of Ireland Manager, Mick McCarthy was at the SPAR FAI Primary School 5s National Finals today. He watched on as future stars were in action at the AVIVA Stadium with girls and boys from 13 counties battling it out for national honours.
If you haven't already, be sure to like our Irish Mirror Sport and Irish Mirror GAA pages on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
