James McCarthy is struggling to prove his fitness ahead of Euro 2016 as Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has confirmed he won't play against the Netherlands tomorrow and is also a doubt for Belarus on Tuesday.
With the Everton midfielder struggling with a groin injury and a number of other players carrying knocks, O'Neill has delayed naming his final squad until the UEFA deadline of 31 May.
McCarthy has been almost ever-present under O'Neill and the manager is hoping the 25-year-old will be fit for Ireland's final friendly against Belarus in Cork.
The 64-year-old said: "If James doesn't play in any of the two games, but feels that's all it is - the scans have been pretty clear - yes, I think James has done enough to be in to be in the 23.
"He's been a major part of proceedings and that would be a type of situation that I would certainly look at and feel, well, if this is just an injury that just needs a little bit of extra time, and he has played a lot of games for Everton...
"I watched him recently when he played very well against Watford, scored a goal and scored another goal just in recent times - not just that, but his overall performances were fine and he has had a run of games - then perhaps those extra couple of days might do him the world of good.
"That's the situation. What I wouldn't like is to be going in with two or three players whose fitness has been a concern, not just over a day or two, but over a period of time."
There are also doubts over the fitness of goalkeeper Shay Given, defender Ciaran Clarke and some other members of the squad, while winger Aiden McGeady has had little playing time on loan at Sheffiled Wednesday from Everton.
Despite these concerns, O'Neill is relishing the prospect of a clash against a the Dutch side who failed to qualify for the Championships and is hoping for a morale-boosting victory.
"What I would like is to try and play well, to be able to use the ball well if we can, and even though it's a friendly game I'd like to win the game if we can to keep spirits high.".
"I think the opposition will be very tough," he said. "They will stretch us and cause us problems and our job will be to cause them problems if we can when we have the ball."
Ireland kick off their Euro 2016 Group E campaign against Sweden in Paris on 13 June before going on to meet Belgium and Italy.
