Republic of Ireland assistant boss Roy Keane has claimed that James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman and Darron Gibson are under pressure from Everton to avoid injuries while on international duty.
McCarthy was not involved in Ireland's 1-0 defeat to Scotland in their Euro 2016 qualifier, which was the third game in a row the 24-year-old had missed for his country. Coleman has also missed time for Martin O'Neill's side, but the duo have managed to appear regularly for the Toffees this season.
"I worry that he [McCarthy] is under lots of pressure, particularly from Everton's point of view," Keane told reporters.
"Because every time there is an international match it does seem to be Seamus [Coleman] and James [McCarthy] under lots of pressure. They're turning up or they mightn't turn up, or they're struggling.
"You always get the impression from Everton that Seamus and James are both barely able to walk, that type of thing. So when they actually turn up and they are walking through the reception, 'Praise the Lord, it's a miracle'."
Ireland face the USA in a friendly match on Tuesday.
Simon Sinclair
