Koeman: I hope Ireland “protect” McCarthy

Everton manager Ronald Koeman is unhappy that James McCarthy has been included in the Ireland squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Georgia and Moldova.

Koeman has urged Martin O’Neill to protect the 25 year old, and said;

“James is close, and normally he would start to train with the team next week, but the national team matches are coming up and they called James up after six weeks of not playing. The FIFA rule means you have to accept that. I hope they will protect the player.

They have to realise he hasn’t trained in five or six weeks. The same happened with Seamus Coleman and it went well luckily but it’s always a risk.”

McCarthy has yet to feature under Koeman this season, as he recovers from groin surgery.

However, Martin O’Neill was happy to include McCarthy in his squad;

“I’ve spoken to our doctor who says James McCarthy is making good progress. We’ll see how he progresses.”

Everton have made an encouraging start to the season, winning four of their first six games, but the Merseyside club have since lost two on the trot.

New signing Idrissa Gueye has excelled alongside Gareth Barry in midfield for the Toffees, and it remains to be seen whether McCarthy will be able to force his way into Koeman’s starting eleven.