Wednesday 5 October 2016 16:02, UK
Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill insists he will listen to James McCarthy when deciding if the Everton midfielder is fit to start Thursday's World Cup qualifier against Georgia.
McCarthy, who missed the opening qualifier in Serbia after undergoing groin surgery, has not featured for Everton since August 23 and Toffees boss Ronald Koeman has urged O'Neill to be cautious with the 25-year-old.
O'Neill admits he understands Koeman's concerns and says he will not risk McCarthy unless he is convinced he is fully fit.
"I would listen to the player, and the player has come over here and trained. He hasn't played for a couple of weeks," O'Neill said.
"Would fitness be a concern? Of course. Lasting the match would be a concern. But if the injury has cleared up, I wouldn't see that as a problem.
"I've been involved in club management for quite some considerable time, less so as an international manager. I have never played anyone who has arrived and not been properly fit, against their will to play.
"That has never been the case and, in fact, as an international manager, I've been pretty lenient about those particular things."
After hosting Georgia at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, the Republic face a trip to Moldova three days later.
After needing a late Daryl Murphy equaliser in Belgrade to secure a 2-2 draw with Serbia in their opening game, the pressure will be on the Irish to take six points from these two games to avoid losing ground to leaders Wales and Austria in Group D.
They took six points from Georgia during the last campaign, but played two closely-fought encounters and O'Neill is expecting another battle on Thursday.
O'Neill said: "Anyone who watched the matches over the last couple of years will know it's a difficult game. Georgia will take points from teams, without doubt.
"Every result is important, every game is important and we have got to be ready. We have never been in a position to treat any team lightly, and we certainly won't treat Georgia like that because they have got some excellent players."
