The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Injury decision will be pivotal
Everton midfielder James McCarthy will travel to Dublin to have his fitness assessed by the Republic of Ireland’s medical team ahead of matches against Scotland and the United States. McCarthy, who turns 24 tomorrow, played the full 90 minutes of his side’s 1-1 draw at Sunderland on Sunday, but came off the pitch complaining of a hamstring injury. He will undergo assessment on the problem when he joins up with the rest of a 27man squad which has been selected for the Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland on Friday and a friendly against the United States next week. Republic manager Martin O’Neill has included Derby defender Cyrus Christie and Ipswich attacker David McGoldrick after their eligibility documentation was finalised last week. The pair both qualify through having Irish grandparents. O’Neill had initially named a provisional 35strong squad last month but injuries have had an effect. Marc Wilson misses out due to a torn hamstring during Stoke’s win against Spurs on Sunday.