Make or break time for McCarthy

It’s looking like a make or break week for James McCarthy in his bid to be fit for Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Austria on June 11.

The midfielder, who has returned to full training only this week at Everton, has not been able to play for his club since a recurrence of his hamstring problems saw him withdraw from the Irish team during the warm-up before the scoreless draw with Wales in March.

Although Martin O’Neill has named McCarthy in his provisional squad for the Austria game, which is preceded by friendlies against Mexico and Uruguay, the manager yesterday made it clear that there is a significant asterisk attached to the player’s inclusion.