Heimir Hallgrimsson says Harvey Vale's call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad for next Thursday's World Cup play-off semi-final against Czechia has been a year in the making.
The English-born QPR midfielder is not the only uncapped player for the winner-takes-all clash in Prague. But he is the newest face in the 25-man selection, with Josh Keeley, Bosun Lawal and James Abankwah all having been in previous camps.
Vale is a former England Under-19 captain and had his switch of allegiance to Ireland approved by FIFA last week.
And while the other members of the squad are familiar, Hallgrimsson was compelled to bring the 22-year-old.
"The exception to that rule is Harvey Vale. I talked to him over a year ago when I was at Queens Park (Rangers) and he expressed a desire to play for Ireland," he said after revealing his squad.
"He was injured at that time so we have been watching him since then, his development at Queens Park. He's been growing by every game and I think it's a perfect time to bring him into this squad now.
"We see him as a potential future player for us. Good player, good person, hard-working guy, creator of chances, scoring goals. So I'm looking forward to start working with him."
Vale has been versatile at club level, with the capability of playing in a wider role and also as an attacking midfielder. Hallgrimsson said the latter role may suit him more.
"He's been playing out left for Queens Park but he is probably best in a centre role. He is a versatile player, can play all across the top positions," said the Icelandic native.
The squad contains a number of players who have had few, if any minutes at club level in recent weeks, particularly due to injuries.
Among that number are Séamus Coleman, Robbie Brady, Bosun Lawal, Chiedozie Ogbene and Adam Idah.
The uncapped Lawal beat Conor Coventry to a spot in the midfield and Hallgrimsson cited the versatile Stoke City player's physicality as a boon for what he expects to be a "war" in Prague.
"It was a tough choice to leave out some of the players," he said, adding that Lawal was "fit" despite not playing since last month.
"Bosun is physical, he's taller so he can cope with what we expect this game to be about. Conor is up there and you never know, we might need to call him in at some point like we did last camp and he did really well."
On worries over a lack of minutes for particular members of the squad, he said: "Not a concern. But, obviously, you would like everyone in a national team to be playing on a regular basis and doing well at their clubs. That's what you want.
"But, for the likes of Séamus [Coleman], we have had him in not playing [at club level] and he did exceptionally well for us. In him, Robbie [Brady], are players who have the experience and the know-how from these games, they can share that with the players as well. So, not only football reasons but also psychological effect, it’s good to have these players back. Both of them have done really well, at least since I came, every game they’ve played.
"There are a few players there that, yes, have few minutes of game time for many reasons - Séamus, Chieo [Ogbene], Bosun, Robbie Brady, are the ones that haven't played much recently. All of them are fit at the moment. Looking forward to meeting them all."
Hallgrimsson confirmed that the in-form Barnsley striker David McGoldrick had not been included in the wider provisional squad.
But he admitted that the 38-year-old, who had retired from Ireland duty in 2020, had come into his conversations with assistant John O'Shea - a conversation that carried over directly onto McGoldrick's phone.
"Yeah, his name came up when we were looking at our strikers' option," he said.
"We just wanted to see what options we had and he's one that has done exceptionally well in his career.
"He's doing well at this moment as well. I know his age but still we just wanted to know what options we would have.
"Me and John spoke and we decided to give him a call just to see if we needed him. If he would be ready. He was surprised to have this call but we just wanted to see all our options what options we had.
"He was not in our provisional squad but again, we might look at him at a later date."
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the FAI announced that Ireland will play against Grenada in a friendly on 16 May as part of a training camp in Murcia, Spain.
Hallgrimsson confirmed that they are also seeking to schedule another friendly as part of that camp earlier that month, following the end of the Championship season.
"We are going to go fairly soon after the Championship finishes. That will be 3 May the Championship and lower leagues will finish," he said.
"So the guys that are not in the play-offs will come in three or four days later and we will stay ten days in Spain.
"(We've) already announced that will be playing on the 16th against Grenada and we are working on playing another friendly earlier than that."
Ireland will also play Qatar on 28 May at Aviva Stadium and World Cup co-hosts Canada in Montreal on 6 June.
If the Boys in Green qualify for the World Cup, their opening Group A game would be against South Korea in Zapopan, Mexico five days later.
Watch Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 7pm on Thursday, 26 March. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app or listen to commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
