Brighton winger Aaron Connolly is set to get his first start for the republic of Ireland.

Manager Mick McCarthy says he has no doubts that Connolly is ready to play from the start for his country.

He was on the bench for the 0-0 draw against Georgia, but he may get into the team for the clash against Switzerland on Tuesday.

McCarthy told reporters about Connolly: "He's come into the squad, he had his cameo at the end, and then of course the question is, could I have played him more?

"Well, I could have started him and he might not have played very well from the start in a rough and tumble game. He might have scored from the start, all those scenarios.

"But had he started and not played well then that would have been, 'Well, he shouldn't have had a debut', usual stuff, which I know is coming. It doesn't matter what happens, you'll get picked holes on whatever happens.

"I think he did great when he came on. He had his chances in a game that was starting to get stretched, starting to become wide-open.

"So he's had a really good cameo appearance and I've no doubt he's ready to start."