ROBBIE Brady is still not fully match sharp according to his international boss Mick McCarthy.

The Burnley winger was back in Republic of Ireland action as captain in their 3-1 friendly win over New Zealand in Dublin on Thursday night.

Brady completed 90 minutes and it was his corner that was headed in by Derrick Williams for the hosts’ first goal at the Aviva Stadium.

Having missed the September and October Euro 2020 qualifiers due to a spell out with a rib injury, it was thought a 46th cap would pave the way for an appearance in the crunch Group D clash with Denmark on Monday night.

But post-match McCarthy appeared to pour cold water on that prospect, Brady having made just six Premier League appearances for the Clarets this season with only one coming from the start.

"He was one of the players with the most to gain tonight certainly because I said it before the game that he was tried and tested,” the Ireland boss told RTE.

"I think Robbie needs more game time, I don't think he's fully match sharp to be playing. He needs games.

"Yes he can play because he's played tonight and he's played for Burnley but is he really match hardened with 10, 12, 15 games? He's not and I think he's felt that tonight.

"But he's delighted with being the captain and he's done ok."

Brady played on the right of a front three with the game also seeing his Clarets team-mate Kevin Long play 90 minutes in central defence.

He came in direct competition with the third Burnley man on the pitch in Chris Wood, the Kiwi striker being replaced with 15 minutes to play.

Having fielded an experimental XI here, McCarthy is set to revert to his strongest line-up for the game against Denmark with Clarets midfielder Jeff Hendrick widely expected to start.