Countries won't feel any international games are meaningless. They can be vital in getting a team to work and gel before the more important games. However, the two games Egan played for Ireland in September were qualifying games, against France and Holland.
Before this, Egan started the first four league games (went off injured vs Everton) and also played the full game vs Lincoln in the first round of the league cup.
View attachment 179809
So prior to the international break, Egan played
three games in
seven days for us.
He then played for Ireland:
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After that, we rested him vs Tottenham with Hecky having a moan in the press about him playing for Ireland.
He then played the full game in the 0-8 defeat vs Newcastle (24 Sept) and went off injured at West Ham a week later.
If the cause of Egan's injury is the hectic schedule it seems harsh to put all the blame on Ireland.