Rory Delap is to have an opportunity of ending the most eventful season of his career in appropriate fashion when the Republic of Ireland meet Mexico at Lansdowne Road in nine days' time.
Delap has been summoned to fill one of the vacancies, following the loss of Denis Irwin and Jason McAteer, now officially out of the game after injuries sustained in club games in recent weeks.
Irwin, who damaged medial ligaments during Manchester United's Bank Holiday win over Leeds United, has been advised that it would be unwise to risk playing again until he reports back to Old Trafford for pre-season training.
In some respects, McAteer's withdrawal was more likely still, for the diagnosis immediately after be had been stretchered off in the course of Liverpool's 4-0 win over Arsenal, was that he had again broken a bone in his leg.
Fortunately, those fears were shown to be misplaced but with the flesh detaching from his ankle, it was obvious that his recuperation from the latest in a series of setbacks this season, would take him well into the close season.
Coupled with the earlier withdrawal of Steve Staunton, it presents McCarthy with some urgent problems, but that point is likely be lost on Delap who felt some disappointment after being excluded from the original squad.
This has been a remarkable spell for Delap who, within days of getting a coveted move from Carlisle United to Derby Co, was summoned by McCarthy for the `B' international against Northern Ireland at Tolka Park.
Later, he was impressive when introduced as a substitute for his first senior cap in the Czech Republic in March and he was again called off the bench as a replacement for Jeff Kenna in the closing stages of last month's 2-0 defeat by Argentina.
Robbed of the ultra-reliable Irwin and McAteer, whose Liverpool season had started so promisingly, Delap's versatility could now be very useful.
With Andy Townsend, Ray Houghton and Tony Cascarino due to return to their homes after playing in Paul McGrath's testimonial game on Sunday, there will a maximum of just 17 players left in McCarthy's squad and in that situation, he has seen fit to put Alan Maybury and Kevin Kilbane on stand by.
Both were involved in the game against the Czech Republic but then Maybury was omitted for the Argentinian assignment in which Kilbane was replaced after a vastly disappointing first-half performance. Both Maybury and Kilbane are scheduled to play in the under21 game against Scotland at Ballybofey on Monday and providing they emerge unscathed, are likely to be added to the senior panel the following day.
The only good news of the day for McCarthy concerned Damien Duff, the young Blackburn forward, who has been pulled out of this evening's European under-18 championship game against Greece at Tolka Park because of a groin injury.
Originally, the story was that Duff would have to enter hospital for surgery, a scenario which was certain to put him out of football until next season. Now, according to McCarthy, there is every chance that he will play against Mexico.
"As I understand it, the club is desperately anxious to avoid the player undergoing an operation if it is at all possible," said McCarthy. "The problem is down to the lad playing too many games but medical opinion is that with rest, it will go away.
"Damien will not be involved in Paul McGrath's testimonial match but fingers crossed, he could play against Mexico. One thing is certain - I want him in my team that day."
