Martinez confirms McCarthy lay-off

Midfielder James McCarthy will miss the rest of the Republic of Ireland’s Carling Nations Cup campaign with an ankle injury, his Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has confirmed.

Martinez revealed the Latics had sent the relevant medical reports to the Irish camp, a day after national team boss Giovanni Trapattoni said one player, believed to be McCarthy, had not returned his calls ahead of tonight’s clash with Northern Ireland and Sunday’s meeting with Scotland.