McCarthy to undergo hamstring scan

Lyndon Lloyd , 12 November, 20comments | Jump to most recent

James McCarthy will have his injured hamstring scanned by the Republic of Ireland's medical team as they assess his chances of playing in the Euro2016 qualifier against Scotland on Friday.

The midfielder has not trained since limping off at the end of Everton's draw at Sunderland on Sunday but his international manager, Martin O'Neill, is hopeful he will be able to join in with the rest of the Ireland players in the next day or so.

McCarthy, who turns 24 today, was restricted to walking during the Irish team's training session at Gannon Park with doctor Alan Byrne but O'Neill stressed won't force the situation.

“James is obviously feeling better each day," Ireland's boss said. "He didn't do any work today — he's going for another scan this afternoon, which is kind of an update — but he is feeling better, so we will see what tomorrow might bring.

“If he is fit to play and wants to play, that's fine. If he's not, then fine. He is improving.”

Reader Comments (20)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer

Paul Ferry
1 Posted 12/11/2014 at 18:13:57

Why is he in the hands of their medical team! Get him back to Finch Farm on the next flight. Macca is far too important for us to take any risks however slight.

The boo-boys on here who have knocked him again and again might want to take along and hard look at the Sunderland match and, quite frankly, just about any other this season so far.

This developing news is so gloomy with Barry out until next month at the best. If we miss Macca for a few games we will see just how vital he has become.

Get well soon mate.

Fingers crossed!

Peter Mills
2 Posted 12/11/2014 at 19:47:47

McCarthy and Barry have both been excellent, but I am not convinced we always need to play two essentially defensive midfielders.

Perhaps these injuries will lead to a change of system. For example, if Barkley can develop his positional awareness and discipline, surging forward with the ball from his own half may bring out the best in him.

Jay Harris
3 Posted 12/11/2014 at 20:08:20

Echo your sentiments Paul but I haven't heard him booed at any game.

Brian Murray
4 Posted 12/11/2014 at 21:11:01

Let's not forget we lost Gibson for a year playing for Ireland hope the same faith dosent happen to MaCarthy

Tom Cuffe
5 Posted 12/11/2014 at 23:23:29

Mc Carthy is our best player this season, his work rate is 2nd to none, a lot of the work he does on the field goes unnoticed, break up play, clearances of line, (I've lost count)the way he reads the game, he always seems to pop up when you least expect it, if he could add a few goals to his Everton CV great, for me he's a future captain.

Reminds me of Peter Reid

Early days I know to compare him to the legend that is Peter Reid, but he's going in the right direction.

Trevor Lynes
6 Posted 12/11/2014 at 23:35:37

I would like to see McCarthy ruled out of the International so that we can have him fit for our next game.

Carrick has only just come back for Man Utd and he has ruled himself out for England.

John Voigt
7 Posted 12/11/2014 at 23:41:52

This season could have built on last. Injuries are making it difficult. I hope I see an Everton in form team with their best players, but right now I don't know if that's going to be the case.

Mike Childs
9 Posted 13/11/2014 at 02:04:09

Let's face it, if Jimmy Mac thinks he can play for Ireland, he will. His heart is second to none and we're talking National Pride. He was born to play. It's his nirvana.

Steven Jones
10 Posted 13/11/2014 at 09:32:55

Tom, He is nothing like Peter Reid. Peter pressed higher up the pitch, got in peoples faces and was technically much better at controlling the ball and providing forward momentum with incisive passing.

James is a workaholic, covers much more ground and chases and covers space and fullbacks but does not link moving forward as well. He also saves breakaways were as Peter relied up Ratters, Steven and Pat to cover the breakaways as he had little pace to cover.

Nothing like each other really.

Steven Jones
11 Posted 13/11/2014 at 09:37:53

This is an opportunity for Besic and Gibson.

In my mind a pairing with more promise and potential.

Gibsons squeezing opposition and passing under pressure is better than the other two and Besic can play the speed and cover role of James.

Gibson will be more mobile than Barry and is nearing his prime.

It may take a couple or three games for them to bed in but in my mind many potential pluses.

Brian Murray
12 Posted 13/11/2014 at 10:36:07

McCarthy fail a fitness test and has been sent back to Everton

Tony J Williams
13 Posted 13/11/2014 at 12:12:28

Brian, it sounds wrong but I am happy he is considered injured.

Did I just type that?

John Brereton
14 Posted 13/11/2014 at 12:18:14

McCarthy out of the Scotland game.

Steavey Buckley
15 Posted 13/11/2014 at 14:58:01

If the badly injured Gareth Barry was Irish instead of English, the Irish FA would still have insisted he travel to Dublin to be medically assessed, just to be sent home like James McCarthy.

Jim Knightley
16 Posted 13/11/2014 at 15:22:17

It is bizarre that McCarthy was even being considered. Any kind of hamstring strain should not be risked five days later. I understand that a lot may be resting on this internationally, but a lot is resting on him being fit for us too, and we pay his wages. (I say this with confidence, having injured my hamstring lately and consequently being forced to miss some football matches.)

Personally the idea of Barkley playing in the defensive midfielder position has nightmarish connotations for me. He is too naÃ¯ve, and would lose the ball too much. I completely understand the fears that two defensive midfielders is too defensive... but personally I think it is fantastic, because it gives the best attacking full back pairing in England (even world football? Bayern have incredible ones, but Lahm is generally played as a defensive midfielder now and Rafina is less impressive) the opportunity to get forward. It is the three positions behind the striker which need sorting, as we have three second-striker options, when only one can play.

Brian Burns
17 Posted 13/11/2014 at 18:34:02

His scan is clear and he needs a bit of a rest. Good news: he will probably be back next Saturday... though it is Everton!

Brian Cleveland
18 Posted 13/11/2014 at 18:46:47

I know this is getting repetitive, but I guess that's the point.... ANOTHER hamstring injury? I know all teams have injuries, but I can't believe how many hammies we've had over the past couple of years...

Unlucky or something wrong with the training regime?

Max Wilson
19 Posted 15/11/2014 at 09:09:45

Now at last we know the facts about McCarthy's injury. What took so long?

Geoff Evans
20 Posted 15/11/2014 at 12:24:40

What kind of set up sends a player away on international duty to find out what they already know. Get a bloody grip, someone, it's a joke.

Craig Harrison
21 Posted 15/11/2014 at 14:21:55

Geoff, the club has no choice Â– the player has to go if he plays the previous club game before the international break. Happens all the time Â– not just with Everton.

Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.

About these ads