Stephen Kenny has refused to be entangled in a war of words with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp over the mysterious nature of exactly where Caoimhin Kelleher picked up an injury which has ruled him out of the opening part of the season.
Speaking in August, Klopp said: "Caoimhin Kelleher, I hear the Ireland manager didn't like it or was not happy. For us, he got injured while he was with Ireland, so someone there didn't pick it up and when he arrived here [for pre-season] he was still injured."
Kelleher, who was number two to Liverpool first-choice net-minder Alisson Becker last season, started all of the Republic of Ireland's last four games in June due to the absence of the then injured Gavin Bazunu.
"If Caoimhin tweaked something in the game against Ukraine it wasn't evident by his performance. He performed very well and done everything really well. I honestly wasn't aware of him being injured at that time," said Kenny, at a press conference on Thursday where he announced his squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Scotland and Armenia.
"This is Dr Alan Byrne's last game involved obviously. He has a reputation from being involved in 200 internationals.
"They always have medical notes on every injury, extensive notes, and we have no medical notes on Caoimhín from that camp. There's no medical notes," said Kenny.
"If he did tweak something, we weren't aware of it. He played terrifically well in the game but it’s just one of those things. We’ll all move on."
Michael Obafemi remains in the squad despite not featuring for Swansea since being the subject of a late bid from fellow English Championship side Burnley.
Obafemi scored his first international goal against Scotland last June and has one goal and one assist to date with his club this season, yet Kenny is not concerned by his recent lack of club minutes.
"It's not that he’s been out for a long time. He’s only missed last week.
"I’d prefer him playing, coming in match fit. I thought his performances for Swansea at the end of last season and the start of this season were very good.
"We’d have preferred not to have this situation. We’d have preferred coming in in good form, good relations and all that kind of stuff. Life sometimes presents these problems."
Jason Knight has featured predominantly for Ireland as a midfield player or a number ten, but has been used at right-back for his club Derby County in England's League One.
"Jason is a versatile player," said Kenny.
"But it would be preferential for us if he were playing higher up the pitch.
"He has had an impact at international level as an attacking midfield player. He has so much energy, inventive spirit. His ability to press high, his ability to take the ball on the half-turn, his dribbling ability.
"And you felt he was getting better for us. He had a good window himself the last time, performing very well as an attacking midfielder.
"That's what we see him as. So we don’t want to have him inhibited by playing right-back for a period, and that stifling his creative instincts or ability to play as an attacking midfielder.
"I don’t think he sees his future at right-back and we don’t really either, but I understand needs must at every club and every manager must make the best decision for himself. I respect that."
Knight has become an integral part of Kenny's plans and despite excelling in the English Championship for a doomed Derby side, a move away from Pride Park failed to materialise.
"There was a lot of speculation and like everything else, you never really know unless you have a real inside track.
"He likes Derby as a club, he started very young there and it’s been good for him. He’s played a huge amount of games for one so young.
"But we see him as someone who can impact the game as an attacking midfield player, definitely we see him as that."
Knight, along with Bazunu, Obafemi, Nathan Collins, Dara O'Shea, Jayson Molumby, Troy Parrott and Andrew Omobamidele are all still eligible for Jim Crawford's under-21 side who take on Israel in a play-off for the European Championships next week.
Bazunu and Collins are the only two Irish players who have featured week in, week out in the English Premier League.
Seamus Coleman (0), Matt Doherty (1) and Shane Duffy (2) have only made three league appearances between them.
"[It is] not an ideal situation again. Three players with a lot of experience who are very important to us," said Kenny.
"They've proved themselves consistently over the years. [It is] difficult not to play and then step up when you’ve not played for a long time."
The unenviable task of stopping Erling Haaland is next on the agenda for Collins as his Wolves' side welcome Manchester City in the early kick-off on Saturday.
"Nathan has taken everything in his stride, [it is] very impressive the way he's done that. It’s a big challenge of course, taking on Manchester City and Haaland.
"It’s another step in his development. He’s played a high number of games for one so young, playing at Stoke and Burnley. He seems to be a firm fixture in Wolves’ team which is terrific.
"For any of our Irish players to be playing regularly in the Premier League, ideally it’s what we want. He’s shown the quality to do that. I’m sure he’ll relish the challenge."
Ireland are set to travel to Glasgow for their UEFA Nations League tie at Hampden Park, Saturday, 24 September, with kick-off at 7.45pm. Ireland will then return to Dublin to face Armenia in their final group game at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday, 27 September, with kick-off at 7.45pm. Both games are live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
Republic of Ireland Squad - Scotland & Armenia
Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O'Leary (Bristol City)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Duffy (Fulham), John Egan (Sheffield United), Nathan Collins (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jeff Hendrick (Reading), Jason Knight (Derby County), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Conor Hourihane (Derby County), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City).
Forwards: Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Michael Obafemi (Swansea City), Troy Parrott (Preston North End), Callum Robinson (Cardiff City), Scott Hogan (Birmingham City).
