PAUL McGRATH's international career appeared to be over last night after he was omitted from the squad of 23 for the World Cup game against Romania on April 30th.

Explaining his absence the manager, Mick McCarthy, said that the player himself had asked to be left out because he wished to clear up an Achilles tendon problem which was threatening his career.

He pointedly refused to confirm that McGrath's long Ireland career, which has encompassed 83 appearances, was finished but said: "The more games he misses, the less chance he has of getting back - that's for sure. And remember he's not getting any younger.

"I've spoken with him two or three times this week and he is of the opinion that at this stage of the season, a rest could be more beneficial to him than playing for Ireland. Even if we took him with us to Bucharest, there is no guarantee that he would be fit to play."

McGrath, 38 in December, has long struggled with knee injuries. Doubts have now been added about his Achilles tendon at a time when he's trying to save his club career with Derby County.

It is generally accepted that he is no longer capable of playing two games in a week and that if he lined out for Ireland in Bucharest he would have to miss Derby's meeting with Coventry three days later. At a time when he is seeking to renew his contract. thought to be worth £400.000. that could be expensive.

McGrath, rated by Jack Charlton as the outstanding Irish player of his generation, has made only one international appearance in 16 months against Wales in February - and earlier this month pulled out of the game in Macedonia in controversial circumstances.

Also excluded from the preliminary squad, on fitness grounds, is Niall Quinn but McCarthy admitted that he may yet add him to the squad if he plays in Sunderland's next two games.

McCarthy did say that he was worried by offering Quinn the incentive of winning back his international place, he was indirectly putting him at risk by encouraging him to push himself too hard, too soon after his knee surgery.

From the squad that travelled to Macedonia, Jason McAteer and Alan McLoughlin had to be omitted as both are suspended, while Shelbourne's Stephen Geogheghan, who failed to make the bench in Skopje, is also left out.

The squad which will be reduced to a travelling party of 20, contains one uncapped player, Richard Dunne of EverIon, and four more, David Connolly, Dave Savage, Curtis Fleming and Mark Kennedy, who impressed during the end of season tour of America last June. McCarthy also recalls Gary Kelly, who was involved for the friendly with Wales but was omitted for the Macedonian game. The Leeds United wing back has had difficulty working his way into the squad on a regular basis since McCarthy's arrival.

Dunne has made the big break through with some convincing performances for Everton this season. Curiously, he has never played in the under 21 team, but impressed McCarthy when selected in the "B" side which played the National League at Tolka Park last month.

Connolly's inclusion in the squad comes as a major surprise at a time when injuries and contractual problems have curtailed his first team appearances for Watford. Although now recovered from the muscular strains which kept him out of the games against Wales and Macedonia, he is still struggling to get back into Watford's side.

Perhaps you better speak to the player himself about that, but my experience is that at this time of year managers will only use players who have sorted their contractual difficulties.

"I liked the way both he and Keith O'Neill played in America. They're young and enthusiastic and at a time when I want players who have pride in themselves, pride in the shirt and pride in the country, I'm delighted to have them".

"I'm glad, too, to have Dave Savage, who did so well when given the chance, back in the side.

And with Ray Houghton now fully fit and ready for action, we've got a nice balance in midfield." Mark Kennedy is suspended from playing in the European under 21 championship game in Romania after receiving two yellow cards, but after receiving assurances that the under 21 ban did not effect his senior status, McCarthy added him to the squad.