Newcastle boss McClaren vowed to wrap Elliot in "cotton wool" as the 29-year-old continues to battle thigh trouble after playing through the pain in the 1-0 Premier League victory at Dean Court.
Ireland face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the two-leg Euro 2016 play-off in the next fortnight, but McClaren wants Elliot to focus on full fitness rather than international duty.
Manager Martin O'Neill has David Forde, Kieren Westwood and Darren Randolph as his other goalkeeping options for Ireland's Bosnia double-header.
"You'll see him walking around with cotton wool wrapped around him for the next two weeks," said McClaren, still missing injured goalkeepers Tim Krul and Karl Darlow.