Ricky Sbragia has rubbished reports that there has been any fall-out with Dwight Yorke over the international's desire to return to the Caribbean to offer moral support to the Trinidad & Tobago side.
Some Sunday newspapers reported that that had put him on a collision course with Sbragia and tales of the "row" have rumbled on all week.
But the Sunderland manager has told the Echo that the claims are simply nonsense with no basis in truth.
He said: "I'll be honest, I didn't read about it until yesterday and it was news to me!
"There have been no big discussions or fall-out over it.
"Personally, I think he should continue his international career.
"I have no problem with that and I don't mind us fitting around it.
"Obviously Kenwyne Jones and Carlos Edwards are in the same position in terms of having an involvement in internationals during the middle of the season and we are prepared to work around them.
"We have to deal with these things and I've got to say that, from my point of view, we are pleased that at this stage of his career, he still has the that desire and motivation to be involved internationally and to contribute what he can.
"I don't have a problem with it – there's no bigger honour than playing for your country.
"We've never fallen out about it: we've never spoken about it.
"And when I read about it in the morning, I thought good on him, he's 30-odd, why not continue it as long as he can?"