Martin O’Neill: “It’s an interesting dilemma.
“If we had more points on the board at this moment, I don’t think there’d be a problem playing him.
“We wanted him to play in a big-sided game on Monday rather than six or seven-a-side, which we tend to do in training.
“But he will definitely play for the team at some point.
“He could be absolutely fine for us and it shouldn’t be a reflection on him that he’s not played so far.
“I don’t want there to be any recriminations by concerns over fitness, but the only way we can properly judge him is by playing a game.
“We want him to be in as good a shape as possible."