James McCarthy has been left out of Everton's squad to face Chelsea on Saturday, following a week in which Toffees boss Ronald Koeman and Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill clashed over the midfielder's fitness.
McCarthy featured in Ireland's double-header against Georgia and Moldova in September despite having missed six weeks with a groin problem, which angered the Dutchman.
"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."
Koeman then urged McCarthy to withdraw from the squad for Ireland's qualifier against Austria on November 12.
"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."
Meanwhile, Burnley' Stephen Ward is another injury concern for the Ireland manager as the defender has been left out of the squad for Saturday's clash with Crystal Palace.
Ward picked up a hamstring injury in last weekend's 0-0 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford and will sit out this weekend's fixture.
John O'Shea also picked up an injury last weekend and is another Ireland international who will not be involved for his club this weekend.
Sunderland confirmed that they will be without their captain for the Premier League game at Bournemouth as O'Shea has not recovered from a hamstring injury.
Centre-half O'Shea was forced out of last week's home defeat to Arsenal shortly before half-time.
