MIchael Obafemi has turned down an Ireland call-up for the Belgium and Lithuania friendlies as he wants to focus on staying fit.
The Swansea City striker - who has one senior cap under Martin O’Neill - spoke to Stephen Kenny this week and outlined his commitment to the Boys in Green.
But after a spate of hamstring issues, the 21-year-old doesn’t want to jeopardise his run of club games where he has scored six goals in his last nine games.
Obafemi caused a stir this week when it emerged he told the FAI he only wished to be considered for senior selection - not the Under-21s.
Today, Kenny said: “He would have been considered for selection if he had been available. He wasn't available for selection.
“The truth of it is that Michael has never played three games in a row before this year for his club, as far as I know.
“The reason for that is because of his persistent hamstring troubles. But Michael has managed to stay fit in recent weeks and looks a real threat.”
Kenny added: “I think there's a degree of anxiety around Michael himself about being injured.
“He's concerned about re-injuring coming into the international team and trying to train every day and play and play again.
“He feels he needs to spend time with the physios to make sure he can continue in the vein of form. But he has reiterated his commitment to Ireland.”
Jamie McGrath has been dropped after making just three appearances - one in the league - for Wigan Athletic since joining from St Mirren on January’s deadline day.
“It’s a tough call as he has been really excellent for us. But his move hasn’t gone to plan for him,” said Kenny.
“He’s not been featuring for Wigan and has even been omitted from the squad on occasions. It’s not really his problem.
“He was in great form and doing well, but came into a team that was consistently winning and they just haven’t made the changes and he’s paid the price for that.
Striker Aaron Connolly is also overlooked once again, with Kenny revealing that he is playing through the pain barrier at Middlesbrough and hardly training at all.
“We’re not in a position to let him come in for a week and not train and maybe play. He himself feels he needs to sort his heel out," he added.
But Birmingham City striker Scott Hogan, 29, returns having last featured at the tail end of Mick McCarthy’s second spell in charge and Blackburn skipper Darragh Lenihan is also recalled.
There are first call-ups proper for Wolves’ Connor Ronan - on loan at St Mirren - and Oxford United’s Mark Sykes.
Belgium also named their squad today but, as expected, Premier League stars Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are not involved.
Manager Roberto Martinez is also selecting players with 50 caps or fewer as he experiments with his options ahead of the World Cup finals this winter.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Nathan Collins (Burnley), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers).
Midfielders: Conor Hourihane (Sheffield United, on loan from Aston Villa), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (QPR, on loan from Newcastle United), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jason Knight (Derby County), Mark Sykes (Oxford United).
Forwards: Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Scott Hogan (Birmingham City), Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Connor Ronan (St. Mirren, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers).
BELGIUM
Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels; Thomas Kaminski; Simon Mignolet and Matz Sels
Defenders: Sebastiaan Bornauw, Dedryck Boyata, Jason Denayer, Wout Faes, Arthur Theate and Siebe Van der Heyden
Wing Backs: Thomas Foket; Thorgan Hazard and Alexis Saelemaekers
Midfielders:, Leander Dendoncker, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Orel Mangala, Youri Tielemans and Hans Vanaken
Forwards: Michy Batshuayi, Christian Benteke, Charles De Ketelaere, Jeremy Doku, Adnan Januzaj, Divock Origi, Leandro Trossard, Yari Verschaeren and Dante Vanzeir.
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
