Wednesday 19 November 2014 14:24, UK
Roberto Martinez admits he may have to lighten James McCarthy's workload in order to solve the Everton midfielder's recurring fitness issues.
McCarthy was sent home by the Republic of Ireland last week after complaining of a hamstring problem and is a doubt for Saturday's visit of West Ham.
This new setback is the latest in a series of niggles the 24-year-old has had this season, despite the £13million star increasingly demonstrating his value to the Toffees following his move from Martinez's former club Wigan in September 2013.
"We need to assess it. Maybe it's managing the work he does in training," Martinez told the Liverpool Echo.
James (McCarthy) has played a huge amount of games and is still a very young man. He's a super-fit boy and he shouldn't be picking up these sorts of knocks.
"We need to find the right formula because we need to make sure we don't get these sort of injuries on a regular basis.
"James has played a huge amount of games and is still a very young man. He's a super fit boy and he shouldn't be picking up these sorts of knocks.
"He's had this same injury before but not in the same leg. It's partly normal phases of development and growing into the physical demands of your role."
Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane claimed Everton overstate injuries when McCarthy and team-mate Seamus Coleman are sent on international duty, saying: "You always get the impression from Everton that Seamus and James are both barely able to walk."
But Martinez rejected this accusation and defended the Everton star’s withdrawal.
"James was desperate to be involved with his national team but he couldn't make it," said the Spaniard.
