Shane Duffy is delighted to join up with the Ireland squad as they head off to Tbilisi today, revealing that he would've been gutted to miss out.
The defender shook off a calf injury in the last few days and handed Mick McCarthy a boost by arriving in Dublin last night ahead of key Euro 2020 qualifiers against Georgia and Switzerland.
Not originally part of the Boys in Green's 24-man squad, the Derry native worked alongside physios from club and country to lend a hand in a defence without the injured Richard Keogh and suspended Enda Stevens.
"I'm delighted, obviously," Duffy told FAI TV.
"The club have been brilliant. I've done a lot of work over the last couple of weeks and they got me ready.
"It was great to get back involved (with the club). I've been out on the pitch with the physios doing rehab. I got to join in with the first-team today.
"I've done three days in-a-row, and I had a rest day today. (I'll be) back at it tomorrow, and hopefully all ready to go for Saturday.
"I would have been heartbroken really if I didn't get out there. I done everything I could, the club helped me, Ireland were great with me, the manager has been great giving me a little bit more time to get ready.
"We're all excited for it, it's a huge game and one hopefully we can take advantage of."
"He's been given the all clear this morning," said McCarthy yesterday. "He'll be with us to travel to Georgia.
"All along he has been pretty confident he would be ok. He's been running all week and he says he's trained with the team this morning. If he's done full training, he's fine."
On David McGoldrick, the Ireland boss revealed: "Saturday is far too soon for him but if he trains over the weekend, he might still be an option as a sub in Switzerland. It would be a nice problem to have."
Ireland currently lead their group on 11 points, two ahead of Denmark, and three clear of Switzerland albeit the top seeds have a game in hand.
They travel to Tbilisi to take on Georgia on Saturday afternoon before going on to Geneva to take on the Swiss.
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