Lee Carsley last night looked to be on the verge of a return to the Republic of Ireland squad after doctors told Sunderland midfielder Graham Kavanagh that an operation he needs to sort out a cartilage problem will keep him out of the game for between a month and six weeks.

The news will come as a major blow to the Dubliner who had performed well since being signed by Roy Keane just before the transfer deadline at the end of last month. He has played four games and scored once for his new club and his strong form made him a contender to feature in Ireland's forthcoming European Championship qualifiers.

Instead Steve Staunton now looks likely to turn to Carsley as cover for his central midfield players although there is unlikely to be any additions to the squad until after the weekend.

There is also some confusion regarding the sequence of events that has led to the 32-year-old being considered again. In a press release issued by the FAI yesterday Staunton is quoted as saying that: "Lee phoned me last night and said he wishes to be considered for selection as he has now re-established himself in the Everton first team and that is welcome."

It was subsequently suggested that when the pair had last spoken, at a reserve game in April of this year, Carsley had indicated that his position had not changed since he announced his retirement from international football two years previously.

This, however, is entirely at odds with what the player was saying in media interviews at the time while it also contradicts Staunton's assertion last month that Carsley had indicated he was available for selection but only wished to be considered if he had a reasonable chance of playing.

When announcing his team on Monday Staunton played down the chances of the Everton midfielder being asked to return with the Louthman observing that he felt he had a good mixture of youth and experience in midfield.

Carsley subsequently expressed his disappointment at being omitted. "Of course I am disappointed because I was hoping to be included," he said. "But all I can do is continue to do my best for Everton and just hope that the international door isn't completely closed because I still want to play for Ireland .

"I am happy with my form at club level and all my focus now is on helping Everton maintain the fine start that we've made to the season. I declared myself available for Ireland at the start of the season and I spoke to Steve Staunton about it."

Roy Keane, meanwhile, has said that Stephen Elliott could also be withdrawn from the international squad as a result of the injury he sustained against Leeds United a couple of weeks back.

"I know he's been selected but Stephen's not been running yet, so I think people are getting a bit ahead of themselves. If he's not right, he won't be going anywhere."