Dessie Farrell says that Stephen Cluxton deserves time to consider his inter-county future after stepping away from the Dublin set-up.
Cluxton, 39, was not a part of the Dubs' matchday squad for their unconvincing opening Leinster championship victory at Chadwicks Wexford Park.
Rated as arguably the most influential inter-county player of the past two decades, the Parnells goalkeeper is back playing for his club.
But was not involved in the Dubs' League campaign and Evan Comerford played between the posts in the eight-point win.
Blues boss Farrell says he is unsure if Cluxton will return to the county panel.
"I don't know, is the honest answer," he said.
"It is not that we are trying to play games here in any way. He's asked for time and I think he deserves the time.
"At the end of the day, the service he has given to the county has been immense.
"When a man asks to step away and take time out, I think a player like Stephen Cluxton deserves that and we all need to respect that.
"The situation is very simple. Stephen isn’t with us at the moment. He’s gone back to his club.
"He’s just taking time to heal the body, maybe to regenerate the appetite.
"I don’t know, to be honest, whether Stephen will be back or not.
"But he’s not retired, he has just stepped away. we’ve spoken about it as a group – I think given the service he has provided over the years, he deserves that respect and that time and space to make up his mind."
Farrell confirmed that he has been in contact with the eight-time All-Ireland winner.
He's back with his club. He has done some sessions with the goalkeeping coach alright, but for now he is with his club," said the Blues boss.
"We've always operated on the basis that we have an open-door policy.
"That was the same for the last management team and it is the same for any team I manage.
"If there are players out there and they are willing to contribute, and they and we feel they have a contribution to make then the door is open, for sure."
Farrell was back on the line for the first time since he was slapped with a suspension over the Dubs' return to training before the agreed date for inter-county teams to return.
"It's great to be back out," said the Na Fianna man. "The performance leaves a little bit to be desired, but anyway, it is good to be back."
Asked was it difficult on a personal basis to serve the ban, Farrell replied: "Yeah, it was difficult.
"Difficult and challenging is all relative to the context of what the country is going through the last 18 months.
"I 100% regret it happened and I think ultimately as manager of the team, that decision rests with me and I take full responsibility for that, and I take this opportunity again to apologise for it.
"It is not the standard I set myself on a personal level. I fell short on that front. All you can do is take the learnings and move forward and that's what we did."
