EVERTON MANAGER ROBERTO Martinez says that Ireland midfielder James McCarthy desperately wanted to face Scotland in Friday’s Euro 2016 qualifier at Celtic Park.

McCarthy was ruled out of the game despite a scan on his hamstring being clear with Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane suggesting Everton put pressure on him and Seamus Coleman to pull out of international squads.

However, Martinez says that if McCarthy had been fit, he would have played, telling the Everton website:

“James was desperate to be involved with his national team but he couldn’t make it.

“We will try to get him fit for West Ham but it is a bit too early to tell. He hasn’t been able to train with the team and that is a worry on a Tuesday leading up to a Saturday game.

“It’s James’ second injury of this nature in the last month and that’s a bit of a worry. We need to give him perfect treatment and make sure he is fully fit.”

Martinez also said the club will monitor the fitness of Darron Gibson who complained of soreness in his knee following the defeat to Scotland.

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