McCarthy's hamstring remains a concern

, 29 December, 8comments | Jump to most recent

James McCarthy is once again doubtful for Everton's next fixture after being withdrawn at half-time as a precaution against Newcastle yesterday.

The Irish international has spent intermittent spells on the sidelines this season with a recurring hamstring problem but returned to the side from his most recent layoff for the Boxing Day clash with Stoke City.

He played almost 70 minutes in that disappointing defeat and then 45 minutes at St James' Park before being substituted in favour of Ross Barkley.

McCarthy, a linchpin of the Blues' midfield, apparently felt tightening of the muscle and the club's doctors will wait to see how he reacts in training this week before deciding whether he can play any part in the crucial fixture against Hull on New Year's Day.

“James came back from injury on Friday and was able to play 60 minutes and today, at half-time, he was at a very high risk of injury so had to come off," Roberto Martinez said after yesterday's game.

“It was feeling a little bit tight and because we know his history of previous injuries, we had to protect that.”

Quotes sourced from Liverpool Echo

Reader Comments (8)

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Al Reddish
1 Posted 29/12/2014 at 18:06:04

Fucking hell.....Barry and Baines in the middle again?

Tony Abrahams
2 Posted 29/12/2014 at 18:21:48

Only match we have won lately was when Barry was suspended, so what does that tell us?

Eddie Dunn
10 Posted 29/12/2014 at 19:26:15

Once again we have to ask about the medical team here, Was Macca brought back too soon!

Helen Mallon
11 Posted 29/12/2014 at 19:43:59

Has cisse been banned yet and if not why the dirty git.

Dean Adams
12 Posted 29/12/2014 at 19:48:41

3 match ban if he doesÂ’nt contest it by 1800 tomorrow Helen. No use to us, but some help for 3 other clubs. Amazing justice.

Minik Hansen
14 Posted 29/12/2014 at 20:34:18

One of our current challenger Swansea has Montero out, I rate him and they must start to struggle a bit.

Sam Hoare
15 Posted 29/12/2014 at 20:52:55

More good news!!

I'd be tempted to start Baines and Besic in the middle against Hull as really feel Barry's lack of mobility costs us.

John Raftery
17 Posted 29/12/2014 at 23:00:21

Sam (15) - that is not a bad call. Baines was the only one pressing the opposition at Newcastle. To be effective you need at least three players chasing down opponents. With Naismith and Besic returning we would have a chance of doing that.

Eddie (10) - the mistake was to expect a player returning from a hamstring injury to play two games in three days and not feel some reaction. As with Mirallas players with a history of hamstring injuries need to be eased back cautiously or they will inevitably break down again.

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