While Sean Maguire was scoring prolifically in the League of Ireland for Cork City, many were calling for the striker to be considered for Ireland squads.

The maiden senior call up only came ahead of these set of World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Serbia once he had crossed the Irish Sea to join English Championship side Preston North End.

However, that inclusion was for the provisional squad and the 23 year old former Waterford United forward was left out of the final 25-man panel for the two qualifiers.

Former Ireland midfielder Keith Andrews was mystified by the decision as he told Off The Ball last night.

"He has played regularly," said Andrews of Maguire's early days at Preston, "and for the life of me, I don't know why he's not involved.

"I think he deserves it, I really do think he deserves it. I've said it before on this show that sometimes there's a bit too much of a clamour for whoever it is to be in the squad. But I think with him and certainly from seeing him myself with my own eyes, I genuinely believe he should be in the squad and I think he's more than capable."

There is an argument that Martin O'Neill's reluctance to throw Maguire into the deep end of international football could be borne from the fact that these are crucial qualifiers coming up in which every point is vital.

"I just think it's a shame. I can understand it because we are now at crunch time," said Andrews, before explaining what Maguire could offer.

"He's very different to all the players. You look at Walters and Walters is nailed on in the team, no matter what position he is or whether he is fit or half fit. Shane Long obviously gives you the pace, Daryl Murphy gives you that real physical presence. Seanie Maguire is different. I've tried to liken him to someone that we've had over the last couple of years and I can't think of anybody."

Contrasting Maguire's style to Long's blistering pace, he explained that the ex-Cork City striker "has the ability to link up play and I think he's a fox in the box and I do think he will score goals in the Championship."