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Everton manager Ronald Koeman is on another collision course with Martin O'Neill after James McCarthy was named in the latest Republic of Ireland squad.

McCarthy has played just 57 minutes for Everton since last month's international break after Koeman complained Ireland had “massively overloaded” the midfielder by rushing him back into action after a groin operation.

But the 25-year-old has now been included in a provisional 35-man squad for his country's World Cup qualifier in Austria on Saturday week.

McCarthy is currently recovering from a slight hamstring tear suffered in training that is expected to sideline him until next week.

And Koeman will no doubt take a dim view of O'Neill's latest move, having last month hit out at Ireland boss by stating he was “killing the player”.

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McCarthy underwent surgery in September and hadn't featured for the Blues before he was named in the Ireland squad for their qualifiers against Georgia and Moldova last month.

The 26-year-old played the full match against Georgia in Dublin and lasted for 81 minutes three days later in the win at Moldova.

McCarthy then returned to Everton and started their next game at Manchester City, but hasn't featured since.

After the last international break, Koeman said: “When James came back from Ireland the message from Everton’s medical staff was that he was massively overloaded.

“I would like to have more commitment from the player of Everton because we pay the player but he was in a very difficult situation and it is ridiculous that he has surgery, five to six weeks out, three training sessions, plays 90 minutes and then, after three days, he plays another 80 minutes.

“You hope something like this would be solved by the understanding of the doctor of the Ireland team or the manager of the Ireland team.

“They asked him if he was ready to play. It is very difficult for a player to say no because he is in Ireland.”