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UPDATE: Everton have confirmed that the injury is indeed a double leg break.
Is this the curse that Republic of Ireland players who feature for Everton have to deal with?
Seamus Coleman has only just resumed full training after suffering a gruesome double leg break last season, and now it looks like James McCarthy could be out with the same.
An hour into the game against West Bromwich Albion, Salomon Rondon found himself free in the box on a counter and was ready to fire home left-footed. However out of nowhere came McCarthy sliding in to steal away the ball. Unfortunately, Rondon could not stop the forward momentum from his leg and made contact with his foot right in the middle of McCarthy’s lower right leg.
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The Irishman collapsed in a heap with his hand raised. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford immediately called for medical support. Rondon ran after the ref to ask him to blow the whistle to stop play.
WARNING: The following image could be considered graphic for some, please view with caution.
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Coleman, who was in the stands today, immediately went to the changing room to console his teammate. The commentators later announced that McCarthy’s parents, who were at the game, had accompanied their son as he was immediately whisked away to a local hospital.
A cloud of foreboding washed over Goodison Park as McCarthy was stretchered off and Rondon broke down in tears.
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Everton came back to equalize soon after and the game finished 1-1, but everybody’s thoughts were with McCarthy who has had some cruel injury luck throughout his career, but nothing worse than this.