Former Republic of Ireland international Rachel Graham says a return from injury for young defender Tara O'Hanlon could be the key to giving Carla Ward the option to play Katie McCabe in a more advanced role in the future.
The Girls in Green moved to a back four in Ward's first game in charge as they beat Turkey 1-0 at Tallaght Stadium in Friday's UEFA Women's Nations League opener.
Captain McCabe started at left back, flanking Megan Campbell who enjoyed out a positive outing next to her at centre-back.
Left back is a position that McCabe excels at for Arsenal but given her status as a world class operator within the international set-up, there have been hopes that other candidates could emerge for Ireland that would allow the 29-year-old to start further forward on that flank.
One of those could be 19-year-old O'Hanlon who joined Manchester City from Peamount United last year and has two senior caps to her name.
However, having overcome a previous hamstring issue, the Dubliner is now sidelined with a minor knee injury which saw her miss the current international window - although she is expected back in the next few weeks.
But when O'Hanlon recovers and gets back into the Irish squad, Shelbourne midfielder Graham is confident that she has the ability to work her way into the starting line-up and allow McCabe to then be unleashed on the left wing.
"Ideally, we would obviously love to have her higher and get her into that left-winger position.
"But at the moment, I just don't think we have anybody who can step in there.
"It was Carla's first game and I'm going to think as manager, have my back four as solid and as strong as can be, so that's what she's obviously gone with.
"But I do think when Tara O'Hanlon comes back from injury, she will get her way into that starting left back. She's an excellent player.
"She's, again like Megan, had a bit of bad luck with injuries recently but I think the one she has at the moment is not too serious, so hopefully we could see her in the next camp.
"That will obviously free Katie up. I do think given the options that we have for this camp, I would go out with the same and play Katie left back.
"We could have got Katie higher up the pitch (against Turkey) but it just didn't happen. The higher we can get her the better but just that might take a bit of time."
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