Ronald Koeman appealed to Martin O'Neill not to overuse James McCarthy during the international break. His appeal went unheeded and the Everton manager doesn't appear to be happy.
O'Neill paid scant attention to the pleading of Koeman. McCarthy could hardly have had a more strenuous week after returning from injury.
He played the full 90 in the harrowing 1-0 win over Georgia and was only taken off late against Moldova following a challenge.
O'Neill's flat response when quizzed on this issue is to say that he never plays a player who isn't fully fit.
Koeman said that McCarthy will not be risked for their daunting clash against Manchester City. He said that McCarthy has been "massively overloaded" over the past week.
James McCarthy is a little difficult, because after five or six weeks out of football after his surgery, he played the full game after three group sessions with Ireland.
He played the second game, and he's been massively overloaded.
We have a decision to make tomorrow if he's really fit to be part of the team.
WATCH: @Everton manager Ronald Koeman confirms key returns: https://t.co/lzYOJ0kFIw #SSNHQ https://t.co/OnxBUo0WNF
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) October 13, 2016
Koeman on Ireland handling of McCarthy: "He was massively overloaded."
Spot on. #EFC
— Patrick Boyland (@Paddy_Boyland) October 13, 2016
