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Ronald Koeman urges James McCarthy to stay at Everton and not join up with Ireland

Ronald Koeman has urged James McCarthy to put Everton first and not to join up with the Republic of Ireland for this international break.

The Everton manager and Martin O'Neill are feuding over McCarthy's fitness, with Koeman incensed over the way the midfielder was used by Ireland last month when he played all bar nine minutes of two World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Moldova.

McCarthy had undergone groin surgery in August and had not kicked a ball for Everton before those Ireland games. The 25-year-old returned to Goodison Park and made a substitute appearance at Manchester City on October 15 but has not featured since after he damaged his hamstring.