IRELAND HAVE BEEN dealt a potential blow with the news that James McCarthy has suffered a hamstring injury in Everton training.

The midfielder could now miss next month’s play-off matches against Denmark, with caretaker boss David Unsworth confirming the news today.

Martin O’Neill had been hoping that the 26-year-old would be fit, particularly with another important midfielder, David Meyler, suspended for the first leg in Copenhagen on 11 November.

Yet McCarthy, who last played for Ireland in the 3-1 World Cup qualifying win over Moldova back in October 2016, will now be absent for a period.

Speaking to BBC reporter Conor McNamara, Unsworth allayed concerns that the injury was serious, suggesting it will rule the player out for “a couple of weeks”.

Just spoke to David Unsworth about James McCarthy’s latest injury. Says he’ll talk to Martin O’Neill about “what’s best for club & player.”

— Conor McNamara (@ConorMcNamaraIE) October 29, 2017

Unsworth says McCarthy’s injury is “nothing too severe... had a scan, he’s out for a couple of weeks”.

Ireland’s play-off is in 2 weeks.

— Conor McNamara (@ConorMcNamaraIE) October 29, 2017

David Unsworth says James McCarthy could be out for two weeks after tweaking his hamstring #EFC

— BBC Merseyside Sport (@bbcmerseysport) October 29, 2017

In a statement issued to The42, an Everton spokesperson added that the club “don’t know as yet how long it will keep him sidelined”.

Before the setback, the Glasgow native had been making good progress.

On Wednesday, he started his first game for the Toffees in nearly nine months, as he featured in their League Cup loss to Chelsea.

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