James McCarthy certain to miss World Cup qualifiers, says Roy Hodgson 

McCarthy's club boss reckons it would be “impossible” and “pie in the sky” to suggest he could return from injury in time for international duty.

James McCarthy set to miss this month's World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Luxembourg.

Stephen Kenny has suffered another hammer blow to the spine of his starting XI for the beginning of the World Cup qualifying campaign this month after James McCarthy was ruled out with a recurrence of a groin strain.

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson confirmed that the midfielder limped out of the 0-0 draw against Manchester United during the week after breaking down with the same injury that has already hampered him this season.