Koeman wins as midfielder withdraws from international break

Everton midfielder James McCarthy has withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad on the advice of Ronald Koeman.

McCarthy has struggled with ongoing fitness problems this season and has already been dragged in the middle of a war of words between Koeman and Ireland manager Martin O’Neil already this season.

The 25-year-old hasn’t featured in each of Everton’s last three matches due to a hamstring problem but was bizarrely included in O’Neil’s Ireland squad for their crucial World Cup qualifier against Austria.

“Injury has ruled out Cyrus Christie, Stephen Ward, James McCarthy and Stephen Quinn from the provisional squad, while some players will be assessed by the FAI medical staff,” a Football Association of Ireland statement read, via talkSPORT.

McCarthy has been a key player for Everton since moving from Wigan in 2013 but he was briefly linked with a move away in the summer following Koeman’s arrival, with Crystal Palace alleged to have held an interest.

The Everton midfielder has been limited to just two starts in the Premier League this season and only Tom Cleverley (6.24) and Gerard Deulofeu (6.48) have registered a lower Premier League rating of Everton players to have started at least one game this season (McCarthy - 6.49).

For more stats on James McCarthy, click here to visit his WhoScored player page