McCarthy doubtful for Norway game

JAMES MCCARTHY looks certain to miss Ireland’s friendly against Norway next month after he was stretchered off with what appeared to be a bad ankle injury in Wigan Athletic’s 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

And there are concerns that the 19-year-old midfielder could be out for much longer, as his club as well as the Irish management team anxiously await the result of a scan.

Following Ireland’s European Championship qualifier in Slovakia, Giovanni Trapattoni hinted heavily that McCarthy, previously capped in a friendly against Brazil, would be called up to the squad for the Norway game in Dublin, but it now looks as if the player faces a protracted spell on the sidelines after getting caught on the ankle in a tackle by Fabrice Muamba.