Plenty of interest for Everton midfielder

Despite not having played a competitive game for a whole year, there is still plenty of interest in Everton midfielder James McCarthy.

The 41-time Irish international suffered a horrific double leg break in a Premier League clash last season and is yet to play this season, but was in the matchday squad for the FA Cup Third Round win over Lincoln City recently.

Media outlet TEAMtalk are reporting that Scottish side Celtic are the latest team to jump into the McCarthy sweepstakes, joining West Ham United, Fulham, AFC Bournemouth, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa.

The report goes on to add that McCarthy is a lifelong fan of the Hoops and will find it difficult to turn them down should they come knocking this January.

Manager Marco Silva insists that the 28-year-old is still part of his plans for the rest of the season, but is yet to give him any minutes on the pitch. McCarthy only featured for about half an hour in the 4-0 friendly win against Gor Mahia back in November at Goodison Park.

McCarthy is under contract for another season after this, and has featured in 132 games for the Blues, scoring six times and picking up ten assists since his manager at Wigan Athletic Roberto Martinez brought him in.