Ronald Koeman has turned the screw on James McCarthy as the midfielder's club-versus-country row escalates, advising the midfielder to pull out of Ireland duty and focus on getting fully fit.
McCarthy has been included in Martin O'Neill's panel for the upcoming World Cup qualifier in Austria but is is struggling with a hamstring injury.
O’Neill admitted he's facing a battle to be fit for the Vienna showdown on Saturday week but he also hit back at Koeman's previous criticism of the 25-year-old's call-up to Ireland duty when not 100% fit.
McCarthy featured in the double-header against Georgia and Moldova in September when carrying a thigh injury.
"James had declared himself fit," O'Neill said on Wednesday. "He played the first game and came off in the second, not because he was injured, but because he was tired. Remarkably, he trained the day the manager was bleating about it."
However, Koeman has been even more vocal in his criticism today, suggesting in a press conference that Everton should be McCarthy's priority.
"We spoke to James. My advice to James is to stay here and do training and get fit as soon as possible. But the final decision is by the player," said the Dutchman.
"First be fit, train with your club and then you're ready for the national team and not vice versa. It's always difficult because the player is between Ireland and between Everton but I think first of all you need to do what is the best for your club.
"If you're fit, of course you play with your nation, but in his situation he needs to be fit first. If not you will struggle again.
"James is not fit - he is not involved in team sessions.
"I think the player himself learned from what happened last time and how he was overloaded and he got another injury. It's best for everyone for him first to be fit and training with his club."
