All clear for McCarthy

Everton have received a boost with the news that James McCarthy appears to have escaped serious injury

The 24-year old central midfielder this week left the Irish international squad behind due to growing concerns he and the medical staff had with his hamstring after pulling up towards the end of Sunday's draw at Sunderland.

Once back at Everton on Tuesday, McCarthy underwent scans to try and determine any obvious issues that may cause him to be sidelined.

The scans appear to have arrived back at Finch farm this morning. The reports so far are that the results were clear of any obvious problems and point in the direction of a fatigue injury similar to what he suffered from prior to the previous international break in October.

One for EFC - O'Neill also says @JMcCarthy_16 had another scan on hamstring "which came back clear" but couldn't take risk on muscle injury.

— Andy Hunter (@AHunterGuardian) November 13, 2014

McCarthy will not be joining back up with the Ireland team in this international break and will instead focus on his recovery ahead of Everton's game with West Ham on November 22.