Ireland to wait on McCarthy fate

WIGAN Athletic midfielder James McCarthy is set to play no part in the Republic of Ireland’s upcoming fixtures against Macedonia and Uruguay after his manager Roberto Martinez said that the player would not be making a decision on his senior international future until the end of the season.

After making only one friendly international appearance for the Republic of Ireland, McCarthy remains eligible to declare for the Scottish national team.

Giovanni Trapattoni indicated earlier this week that McCarthy would be included in his next squad for the games in March, but Martinez told Today FM after the 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield that the player needs time.

“We always said that until the summer he’s not going to think about international football and the country he is going to represent is going to be a very fortunate nation,” said Martinez. “We want to help James and make sure that everyone understands he cannot be forced into a decision. I think international issues are going to be a little bit further down the line and it’s only fair that we respect James and we help him. To represent a country has to be a feeling, has to be a passion, and that’s something he needs to find inside himself.”

Martinez doesn’t see any imminent decision from the player on his international future.

“I don’t think so, no I don’t think so. I think that is something that goes down to the family, to the friends and himself. I think it’s very unfair for a young man. His career is going from strength to strength, at only 20. He’s had a few injuries and a few knocks and is a young man that is still growing. I think international duty is going to be an exciting chapter of his career, but is something that we need to allow him to have some time to think what is the real feeling about representing the right country. He doesn’t feel ready to make a decision on his international career.”