Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni insists he has no problem with midfielder Andy Reid.
The 26-year-old Sunderland player has yet to enjoy a single minute on the pitch in a senior game since the Italian's arrival in Ireland in May.
Reid appears likely to be overlooked once again for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Cyprus amid suggestions of a row with Trapattoni.
"I don't have any problems with anybody," insisted Trapattoni.
"I choose in all honesty and I choose thinking about the interests of the team."
Trapattoni was bemused by the speculation when it was mentioned on Monday and the Italian is adamant there is nothing sinister about Reid's absence from the team.
"I never have pre-judgements on any players. I get angry often when the players are on the pitch, and it goes away in five minutes."
Reid has not played for his country since the 2-2 European Championship qualifying draw with Wales in Cardiff last November.
He also missed the end-of-season training camp in Portugal and friendlies against Serbia and Colombia through injury.
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The midfielder returned to the squad for the friendly in Norway in August and has been included ever since, but has yet to see any action.
Trapattoni has employed two holding midfielders to allow wide-men Damien Duff and Aiden McGeady - and in their absence, Stephen Hunt - to join forces with strikers Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle.
Glenn Whelan has made one of those places his own despite his relative lack of football at Stoke while Steven Reid emerged from his long-running injury problems to take the other to great effect against Georgia and Montenegro.
With the Blackburn man ruled out by injury again, Trapattoni is being tipped to select Liam Miller ahead of the Sunderland player for the role against the Cypriots.
Asked if Andy Reid's frustration is mounting, the manager said: "That is not a problem.
"The problem is each game we have is a very important game to qualify.
"I don't understand why Andy Reid is more important than other situations.
"I have said many, many times, we are very, very offensive.
"With two strikers, with McGeady, with Duff, with also Hunt, we are very, very offensive."
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