Sheffield United defender Derek Geary has questioned whether Steve Staunton knows he is Irish after failing to land a place in the latest Republic of Ireland squad.
Staunton this week named seven uncapped players in a 24-man party to face San Marino in a European Championship qualifying match at the Serravalle Stadium on Wednesday.
Blades winger Stephen Quinn, who only made his Premiership debut for United at the start of December, is among the new faces.
Yet, despite the fact Geary has been a regular under manager Neil Warnock over the last few months, and can play in either full-back position, he has again been overlooked.
Warnock recently even went so far as to say the 26-year-old was the best left-back in the country, although seemingly not in the eyes of Staunton.
"I'm really disappointed," said Dublin-born Geary. "On Tuesday, I was at home and my cousin sent me a text saying 'hard luck with the Ireland squad'. I knew immediately what he meant.
"Knowing it was going to be announced, this was the first time I thought I had a chance.
"I've been playing in the Premiership against the best players in the world, week in and week out. But I've not heard anything. You start wondering 'does he [Staunton] know I'm Irish?'
"It's left me thinking if I don't get my chance now then I will probably never get a chance, that I've missed the boat.
"There's nothing I can do other than to get my head down and keep giving my best for Sheffield United." PA
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