James McCarthy won’t be involved in the Republic of Ireland’s Euro qualifiers against Denmark and Gibraltar next month.
The Everton midfielder has not played for Ireland since late 2016 and only returned for the Toffees this year following a double leg break.
Ireland boss Mick McCarthy today named his provisional squad for the upcoming training camp in Portugal and the two key games.
But midfielder McCarthy was a notable absentee and his namesake revealed the midfielder is being given additional time to sort out his immediate club future.
McCarthy said: “He’s just not been playing and I did speak to him. He wants to sort his own career out, his own future out this summer.
“Other midfield players who are in the squad, I’m hardly likely to leave Jeff Hendrick, Conor Hourihane or Glenn Whelan out for him at this moment in time.
“Had he been fully fit for the last 12 months things might have been different because I think he’s one of our best players - but that’s not been the case.
“He wants to just sort himself out this summer.”
Everton man McCarthy was linked with a move away from the Toffees in January but nothing materialised.
But he wants to play regularly next season and that means a move away from Goodison Park is likely this summer.
The Ireland boss said: “He wants to be fit and healthy and get his future sorted.
“He’s (fit) at the minute, he’s been on the bench so quite clearly he’s fit enough to be involved.”
Preston striker Callum Robinson gets nod for Ireland training camp in Portugal
Meanwhile, McCarthy confirmed that Cyrus Christie is not getting a look in because Matt Doherty has pushed him down the pecking order.
The Fulham defender was a firm favourite of Martin O’Neill’s but McCarthy did not pick him for the Gibraltar and Georgia games in March.
He was also omitted from today’s squad and asked for a reason, McCarthy merely said: “Matt Doherty and Seamus Coleman.”
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