Martin O'Neill says it would be wrong of Everton to blame James McCarthy for his latest injury setback - and he will again attempt to speak to Ronald Koeman this week.
The Republic of Ireland manager has revealed that the Toffees boss rejected his approach for a conversation ahead of the recent international break.
But after McCarthy suffered a recurrence of a hamstring problem in the warm-up ahead of Friday night's goalless draw with Wales - and club-mate Seamus Coleman broke his leg in two places in the second half - O'Neill will seek to make contact with Koeman.