Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has been given a boost ahead of Saturday's Euro 2020 qualifier with Georgia.

Centre-back Shane Duffy looks to be edging closer to a start in Tbilisi after flying into Dublin to join-up with the squad.

The Derry man wasn't included in the original squad after injuring his calf for playing for Brighton in a Carabao Cup tie against Aston Villa last month.

Mick McCarthy said yesterday that the defender had been back training with his club, and the FAI confirmed that Duffy had arrived into camp.

"I'm delighted, obviously," he said.

"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."

The two upcoming games are massive for Mick McCarthy, and results will go a long way to determining Ireland's Group D fate.

Duffy will be given every chance to prove his fitness with the squad set to fly to Georgia on Thursday afternoon.

They face the Georgians on Saturday, before a trip to Geneva to take on top seeds Switzerland on Tuesday.

Follow Georgia v Republic of Ireland via our live blog on RTÉ.ie and the News Now app, watch live on RTÉ2 from 1.45pm or listen to full commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 from 1.50pm.