Mick McCarthy has scouted Ryan Manning, the in-form Irish full-back who has, so far this season, been overlooked for the Republic of Ireland squad.

McCarthy was at Loftus Road on Tuesday night to watch the player in action for Queens Park Rangers against Reading. The game finished 2-2 and Manning played 90 minutes.

The Galway-native has been one of the in-form players in the Championship this season, standing out at left-back since being moved from his natural position in midfield. Manning has recorded three assists, he has created 36 chances for his teammates and is averaging over two key passes per game.

However, despite his excellent form, he has not yet been included in an Ireland squad under McCarthy. Enda Stevens has established himself as the team’s first-choice left-back and Matt Doherty played there against Georgia at the start of October. But, otherwise, there are not many Irish options in the position.

McCarthy has, so far, appeared to have a blind spot for Manning. When Stevens picked up a suspension, he namechecked James McClean, a winger, and Stephen Ward, who announced his retirement from international football, as players he could pick to play at left-back. But his appearance at Loftus Road on Tuesday night suggests he is considering including the 23-year-old in his squad for the final Euro 2020 qualifier against Denmark in November.

Elsewhere for Irish players in the Championship, McClean did not get off the bench for Stoke in their 1-0 defeat away to Sheffield Wednesday. Ward started the game for the Potters and Scott Hogan appeared as a second-half substitute. Alan Browne started in Preston North End’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United, with Sean Maguire coming off the bench in the second half.

Ireland Under-21 captain Jayson Molumby was an unused substitute for Millwall in their 2-2 draw with Cardiff City, and his Irish teammate Dara O’Shea was on the bench for West Brom in their 2-2 draw with Barnsley.

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