KEANE HAS SWIPE AT MARTINEZ

ROY KEANE is concerned that Everton are exerting ‘pressure’ on their Irish players around Republic of Ireland games and feels a ‘clear-the-air’ summit with manager Roberto Martinez is required. The Ireland No 2 acknowledges Martinez has a duty to his club but feels ‘balance’ is needed regarding the international availability of James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman and Darron Gibson for the remainder of the Euro 2016 campaign. McCarthy has missed the last three Euro 2016 qualifiers, including last Friday’s 1-0 loss to Scotland, but is expected to be fit for Everton’s game against West Ham on Saturday. It follows the events of last month when McCarthy and Coleman both played for their club — only four days after missing the qualifier against world champions Germany. ‘I worry that he (McCarthy) is under lots of pressure, particularly from Everton’s point of view,’ said Keane yesterday. ‘Every time there is an international match, it does seem to be Seamus (Coleman) and James (McCarthy) under lots of pressure. They are turning up or they might not turn up, or they are struggling,’ he observed. ‘You get the impression from Everton that Seamus and James are barely able to walk, that type of thing. So, when they actually turn up, it’s a case of “praise the Lord, it’s a miracle”.’ With Ireland’s Euro fate hinging on strong home form in the six qualifiers to come in 2015, Keane feels the point should be made to Martinez how important his players are to their country. He added: ‘There has to be some sort of sit-down conversation and say: “Listen, Martin’s been more than good enough here, particularly the friendlies, but these are big qualifying matches”.’