Liam Lawrence has hit out at players who turn to the Republic of Ireland after failing to win England recognition.
Stoke midfielder Jermaine Pennant and Jamie O'Hara, currently on loan at Wolves, have both suggested they could declare for Ireland, but Lawrence admits their comments have not gone down particularly well with the Irish camp.
Lawrence, who was born in Nottingham but always intended to play for Ireland, said: 'The only thing I know upsets us is when people are trying to juggle between England and Ireland.
'That's the only issue, really, and it's not just me saying that. It doesn't look good, does it?
'We don't dislike these people, it is just some of the comments they come out with when they are saying they are juggling between Ireland and England - you just don't want it, do you?'
Meanwhile, defender Richard Dunne was able to train with his team-mates as he stepped up his bid to be fit for Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia.
Dunne, who flew to Dublin yesterday after staying with Aston Villa for extra physio on his injured shoulder, joined in with this morning's session at Gannon Park.
Seamus Coleman and Leon Best were also involved after sitting out yesterday with ankle injuries, while another late arrival, Manchester United's Darron Gibson, joined them.
However, there was no sign of Damien Duff as he continues to battle an Achilles problem, while Sean St Ledger remained on the sidelines as a precaution after picking up a knock to his knee yesterday.
Lawrence expects Ireland's bid for Euro 2012 qualification to go all the way to the wire.
Giovanni Trapattoni's men entertain Macedonia at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday night sitting in second place in Group B. They are locked together on seven points with Armenia and Slovakia and trailing leaders Russia by two.
They head for Macedonia in June and Lawrence knows the back-to-back qualifiers could have a major say in Ireland's hopes of making it to the finals.
Asked about the state of the group, the Portsmouth midfielder said: 'I think it's close and it's going to be close throughout. There are still going to be one or two upsets yet because some of the smaller teams in our group are decent.
'There's still a long way to go yet and we have just got to get this Saturday out of the way and hopefully win the game. These are the games that we need to win - and that's no disrespect to Macedonia. These are the games we have got to look at.'
Ireland have a chequered history against the former Yugoslav republic having lost 3-2 to them in Skopje during the 1998 World Cup qualifying campaign and then seen their hopes of reaching the finals of Euro 2000 founder on a 1-1 draw in the same city two years later.
Trapattoni's men have taken enough scalps in recent seasons to know they themselves are now targets for some of the up and coming teams in European football, and that is something they must guard against.
Lawrence said: 'These smaller countries do this to the bigger nations. I'm sure they give their best in every game, but it's just unlucky that they have been one of our bogey teams.
'Saturday is a big game and one in which we need to get a result. Definitely, we need to win the game if we are going to stand a chance of qualifying.'
The squad met up in Dublin on Monday evening and trained at Malahide yesterday with several key men either missing or sitting out.
Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne joined his team-mates later in the day after staying in the Midlands for further treatment on his injured shoulder, but Trapattoni is hopeful that he will be able to play with experienced keeper Shay Given and full-back John O'Shea both already ruled out.
The Italian is optimistic about skipper Robbie Keane too despite the fact that he has managed only a few minutes as a substitute for West Ham since his return from a calf problem.
Lawrence said: 'They are massive, massive players for us, and even at their clubs, they are huge players still, and it's just a shame that they are injured.
'Hopefully Robbie will be okay, touch wood, and we will maybe get Richard back. But if not, it's a chance for the young lads and people who have not played as much to really stamp their authority on it.'
