Ireland’s James McCarthy a major doubt for Denmark playoff

David Unsworth confirms Everton midfielder is facing a ‘couple of weeks’ on sidelines

James McCarthy is a major doubt for Ireland’s World Cup playoff clash with Denmark. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty
James McCarthy is a major doubt for Ireland’s World Cup playoff clash with Denmark. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty

James McCarthy is a major doubt for Ireland's World Cup playoff clash with Denmark after David Unsworth confirmed the Everton midfielder is a 'couple of weeks' away from fitness.

Speaking to the BBC’s Conor McNamara in the wake of his side’s 2-0 defeat to Leicester City, the stand-in Everton boss has effectively ruled McCarthy out of the two-legged tie, which will be played on November 11th and 14th.

Unsworth confirmed he would speak to Ireland boss Martin O’Neill about the 26-year-old’s fitness and “what is best for club and player.”

McCarthy made his long-awaited return to first team action last week, playing the first 62 minutes of Everton’s League Cup defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

READ MORE

However, he has since picked up a hamstring injury which is set to rule him out of next months playoff against the Danes.

O'Neill is already without David Meyler for the first-leg trip to Copenhagen, as he serves a one game suspension.