Shamrock Rovers will pull Jack Byrne from the Republic of Ireland squad that travels to Portugal for a training camp this month.
Mirror Sports understands the Hoops want their star turn available for key league games against Finn Harps and Cork City that week.
But they won’t stand in the midfielder’s way if he makes Mick McCarthy’s squad proper for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Denmark and Gibraltar in June.
In March, Byrne was not in McCarthy’s provisional squad for the opening qualifiers against Gibraltar and Georgia.
But the former Manchester City youth caught the Ireland manager’s eye with a man-of-the-match performance in a win over Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.
John Caulfield should have lead role promoting League of Ireland - Conor McCormack
And he was catapulted straight into the final squad but did not feature in either of the games and remains uncapped.
Ireland will be in Portugal the week after next for a five-day warm-weather training camp ahead of the crunch June double-header.
They travel to the Algarve on Monday, May 20 but the Hoops are away to bottom side Finn Harps that night and then host Cork City in Tallaght on Friday, May 24.
In staying at home, Byrne will hope it’s not a case of out of sight, out of mind as it remains to be seen if he will make McCarthy’s final squad.
McCarthy - who could be without some other squad members in Portugal due to playoff commitments with their English clubs - may select from those who travel.
But he is already aware of Byrne’s talents having got an up close and personal look at him during that week in March.
In Trim on Tuesday, McCarthy included Byrne in his 30-man provisional selection for the Portugal camp, Denmark and Gibraltar games.
But he admitted he had yet to discuss Byrne’s availability with Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley.
Asked if he would let Byrne play in the Cork City game on the Friday, McCarthy said at the time: “If I want him to come then probably not.
“But I've not really considered it - he’s playing for his club and they want to do as well as they can.”
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.
