Ryan Manning's hopes of a late Ireland call up have been dashed by Mick McCarthy.
The Galway man is in great form for QPR this season and has continued to play as a converted left-back.
With Enda Stevens suspended for next month’s crucial Euro 2020 clash in Georgia, McCarthy will experiment in that position against Bulgaria on Tuesday.
He doesn’t have another recognised left-back in the squad, although James McClean or Cyrus Christie could play out of position.
But asked if Manning’s impressive start to the season could be rewarded with Ireland recognition, McCarthy got straight to the point and didn’t mince his words.
“No,” he said bluntly, “Simple answer.”
Manning was named in the provisional squad for Martin O’Neill’s final games in charge against Northern Ireland and Denmark last November but didn’t make the final cut.
Blackburn’s Greg Cunningham could be drafted in as a left-back option against Bulgaria having been in the provisional squad for these games.
According to McCarthy, Shamrock Rovers ace Jack Byrne will definitely be in the match-day shake-up.
For the Switzerland game on Thursday, he was the odd man out of the 24 not to make the bench.
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