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James McCarthy needed his Headmaster’s permission to launch his career. Now he needs Roy Hodgson’s to relaunch it.

Forgotten man McCarthy started his first Premier League game in almost two years last month for Crystal Palace against West Ham.

Weaker men might never have made it back at all after suffering the horrific double leg break McCarthy did blocking a shot from Salomon Rondon in January 2018.

But the Republic of Ireland midfielder gets his fighting spirit from dad Willie, who has battled cancer for years, and he now has a son of his own to help put things in perspective.

McCarthy needed a note from the Headmaster at St Margaret Mary’s Secondary School in Glasgow to be allowed to make his debut for Hamilton Academical at 15.

Now he's hoping to get the nod against Leicester tomorrow as he looks to resurrect his career after a £3m summer move from Everton.

Remembering those early days, McCarthy said: “I was a kid then. But I didn’t have to beg him. The club went to the school. Everything was fine. Suddenly I was playing first team football!

“It was a real eye-opener. But I had good people around me. Good family. No-one let my feet get off the ground.

“My Dad’s still getting his treatment. It’s ongoing. He’s made me a fighter. He’s strong. When I was in the dark days, he was always there to say I would get through it.

(Image: GETTY)

“There were dark times. For six weeks after the injury I could barely get out of bed. It was a long road back. But my Dad’s strong character helped.

“I’ve seen what he’s been through all these years. And he’s still so positive. Now I’ve got a little boy. There’s nothing better than having a son. A wee boy. Only seven months old.

“That changes you. You want to make sure everything’s good. It’s been a long time, trying to get back. Took a wee while. But things look more positive now.

“It was a nice feeling starting that game, being back out on the pitch. Obviously, you want to build on that, get more consistent.”

McCarthy’s injury was so horrific that Rondon, then of West Brom, broke down in tears. But he never feared his career was over.

(Image: GETTY)

And with the help of some handmade shinpads and insoles, he hopes to get back to the form that once saw clubs like Tottenham and Manchester United trying to sign him.

Palace boss Hodgson claimed recently McCarthy was one of the best midfielders in the country back then. Now, the 28-year-old wants to prove he still is.

McCarthy earned his first Eagles start with Luka Milivojevic suspended, and has only played one minute of the two games since.

But he said: “It’s nice to hear that from your manager. I want to play but I need to be patient and take my chance.

“I’ve had to do a few things. When I broke my leg, the bone came through, so I had to get a specially made shinpad with a skin graft, because I’m more sensitive there.

“The insoles I had just before the injury but they had to redo them to make sure I was still level. Balanced. I obviously still wear them.”

McCarthy has actually been fit for months. He made the Everton bench as long ago as January, but only played 14 minutes for Blues boss Marco Silva last season.

He said: “You could say it was tougher than the rehab because at least then I could see a light at the end of the tunnel.

“I got back fit. I was ready to go. But the chance didn’t come. It was frustrating. You train all week to play, and then you don’t.

“If I’m fit, I want to play. I would never hide away. If anyone thought I just wanted to pick up the money they’d be wrong. I’m delighted to be here now. I just need to take my chance.”