Sean Maguire has been told to keep the faith as his search for a first Ireland goal continues.
But the Preston North End striker won’t be guaranteed a starting role against Georgia tonight.
Maguire found it difficult to impact Saturday’s narrow win in Gibraltar - but Mick McCarthy absolved him of blame and cited the poor pitch.
But with an extra midfielder likely to be deployed tonight, Maguire could be the fall guy with McCarthy such a big fan of David McGoldrick.
Either Harry Arter or Glenn Whelan are likely to come into the side - possibly in a 4-3-3 formation - alongside Conor Hourihane and Jeff Hendrick.
Robbie Brady could replace Matt Doherty wide on the right with Enda Stevens is set to keep his left-back shirt rather than Doherty shifting over to that side.
Darren Randolph thinks making Aviva a fortress will give them fighting chance
While McCarthy believes Maguire will hit the goal trail sooner rather than later, he may be held in reserve tonight and introduced off the bench.
Yesterday, Maguire confided to the Ireland boss that he has never been so nervous in his career as he was before Saturday’s opening qualifier.
It was the former Cork City goal-machine’s first competitive start and McCarthy said yesterday: “I don't think we got the best out of Sean.
“I spoke to him (yesterday) morning and he knows that. He said that he was as nervous as he has been, strangely enough."
McCarthy continued: “The ball was bobbling about at his feet on Saturday and it was horrible. Let's clear that up.
"He needs the ball down the sides of him. He's a runner so that's when you get the best out of him.
“He's quick and athletic and if we can get him slid inside anywhere in the box, then he's a threat and will score goals.
"It was difficult for him on Saturday. There wasn't much room on the pitch and he had to come for the ball which was being hit in at pace so it was difficult to control.”
REP OF IRELAND (probable, 4-3-3): Randolph; Coleman, Duffy, Keogh, Stevens; Hendrick, Arter, Hourihane; Brady, McGoldrick, McClean.
Mick McCarthy looking for football 'utopia' against Georgia
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