McCarthy winning fitness race for Euro2016 opener

Lyndon Lloyd , 3 June, 12comments | Jump to most recent

James McCarthy is confident that he will be fit to face Sweden when the Republic of Ireland kick off their campaign in the European Championship Finals on 13th June.

The Everton midfielder was forced to sit out both of his country's recent warm-up games against the Netherlands and Belarus because of an upper thigh/hamstring problem sustained in the Blues' final Premier League game of the season against Norwich but he has been eased back into full training this week.

With another 10 days in which to get himself completely ready, the 26-year-old sees no reason why he shouldn't be in the line-up to face the Swedes.

"I should be fine," McCarthy said. "I've trained with the team the last couple of days and hopefully now I can step it up. It's obviously good to be back training again with the squad and hopefully now I can kick on and step up the fitness."

Reader Comments (12)

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Matt McAllister
1 Posted 03/06/2016 at 18:53:09

Heres hoping this tournament gives him a much needed confidence boost for next season. Didn't recognize the same player that years before got me up on my feet, due to his ferocious tackles and willing to actually run

Mick Davies
2 Posted 03/06/2016 at 20:49:24

My sentiments exactly Matt; like most of the squad, he seemed to lose his way over the last 2 years. He showed what he's capable of as soon as Martinez went and hopefully, the new manager will let him off the leash a bit more.
In a way, he reminds me of Ross: they don't appear to be the intelligent, studious types, and too much of RM's complicated philosophy may have hindered their natural abilities, so maybe we could see the best of both of them again next season

Steavey Buckley
3 Posted 03/06/2016 at 22:20:29

McCarthy is basically a box to box player; but under Martinez was forced to play a deeper to protect the 2 centre-halves when the full backs went missing. So his passing became more side-ways and negative. But in a 4-3-3 formation would see the best of him.

Tony Hill
4 Posted 03/06/2016 at 22:29:08

Here goes: I think McCarthy is a superb player who will thrive under a proper new manager and will be the heartbeat of our team for years to come. Some of us really don't know what we've got.

Ian Smitham
5 Posted 03/06/2016 at 22:46:34

Watching this player over the last season has been painful, think I have begun to dislike him as a player blah blah.

The goal in the last home game really made me open my eyes, how much has he been inhibited in his play by his boss, and now, I look at Ross and wonder the same. There are detractors of our other superstar in the making, and I have started wondering if he does what he is being told, not what works for him.

What the heck was Jimmy doing running forward, shooting from distance, his former Boss would be going mad??!

Anthony Dwyer
6 Posted 04/06/2016 at 00:41:32

Good luck to mcca for the Euros, also to all the blues in the upcoming tourney.

I was a big fan of McCarthy's in his first season, but last season he seemed to stagnate, he needs a manager to demand more from him. He needs to add goals and assists to his game, not just run around like a headless chicken.

Heres to hoping he can kick on.

Mike T Jones
7 Posted 04/06/2016 at 01:49:35

New manager wont fancy him

William Cartwright
8 Posted 04/06/2016 at 05:01:37

I loved McCarthy in Season 1 but have been dismayed by his downward spiral in the last 2 seasons; similar for the team in general and other nailed -on stars (Barclay, Mirallas etc.).

Further reflection on the simply disgraceful mismanagement of Roberto and his cronies shows how when players are coached badly / coached correctly that their performances can swing from one extreme to the other.

The term simply disgraceful mismanagement really does sum Roberto up for me. The damage he has done to players and the dismay he n has brought to thousands and he gets a 4 million pay off. Incredible.

Colin Glassar
9 Posted 04/06/2016 at 08:31:03

Totally off topic, I hope there is a dedicated thread, but RIP Muhammad Ali, without doubt The Greatest Boxer of all time.

I had the pleasure, and privilege, of watching him live (on the telly) in his pomp and prime and there will never be any one like him ever again. Sleep well big man.

Alan McGuffog
10 Posted 04/06/2016 at 08:38:18

Colin.....great pic is out there of Ali sparring with a load of bluenoses before the 66 final.......was he in town to fight Cooper or possibly London ?

Colin Glassar
11 Posted 04/06/2016 at 08:44:10

Not sure Alan but didn't he have a friend in the North West that he'd come and visit and help out? I recall, vaguely, something related to charity over here.

Alan McGuffog
12 Posted 04/06/2016 at 15:42:48

Would have been quite a weekend Colin... winning at Wembley, Ali fighting, and back here Dylan on at the Empire. If you haven' t already, you should read Roger McGough's account of having a cup final ticket and a ticket for Dylan. Talk about tough choice... think he did the right thing in the end but it involved mucho soul searching.

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