James McCarthy in Republic of Ireland squad for World Cup Qualifier for Wales
Tuesday 14 March 2017 11:34, UK
James McCarthy has been included in the Republic of Ireland squad for next week's World Cup Qualifier at home to Wales, despite once again facing a battle to prove his fitness.
The Everton midfielder has found himself at the centre of a club versus country row in recent months, with Toffees boss Ronald Koeman less than impressed with Ireland counterpart Martin O'Neill calling the 26-year-old up to his squad when he has been injured.
McCarthy missed Saturday's 3-0 Premier League victory over West Brom with a hamstring problem, but having assured O'Neill he expects to train this week, was named in a 39-man provisional squad on Monday morning.
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"At least Everton can't blame us this time, I hope," O'Neill said. "James hasn't been with us for months. I spoke to James the other day and he expects to be training by the end of this week, so we'll see then."
Ireland take on Wales in Dublin on Friday, March 24 - live on Sky Sports - before hosting Iceland in a friendly four days later.
Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot is in the squad for the first time since injuring his knee during a draw with Slovakia a year ago, while Brentford defender John Egan gets a first call-up along with Reading's Liam Kelly.
Egan was at Sunderland during O'Neill's time in charge, and the Ireland boss said: "I have known John since his days he was only a kid.
"He has earned this call-up. We're telling lads that we're watching them at club level to see what they are doing."
Goalkeepers: Colin Doyle (Bradford), Rob Elliot (Newcastle), Darren Randolph (West Ham), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie, Richard Keogh, Alex Pearce (Derby), Paul McShane (Reading), Andy Boyle (Preston), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle), John Egan (Brentford), Stephen Ward (Burnley), Matt Doherty (Wolves)
Midfielders: Aiden McGeady, Daryl Horgan (Preston), Glenn Whelan (Stoke), James McCarthy (Everton), Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady (Burnley), David Meyler (Hull), Liam Kelly (Reading), Darron Gibson (Sunderland), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Eunan O'Kane (Leeds), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Stephen Gleeson (Birmingham City), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich), Anthony Pilkington (Cardiff), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), Jonathan Hayes (Aberdeen), James McClean (West Brom)
Forwards: Kevin Doyle (Colorado Rapids), Shane Long (Southampton), David McGoldrick (Ipswich), Daryl Murphy (Newcastle), Adam Rooney (Aberdeen), Jonathan Walters (Stoke).
