James McCarthy 'ready' to return after 11 months according to Everton manager Silva

Republic of Ireland international James McCarthy is ‘ready’ to return to action according to his club manager, Marco Silva.

The Everton midfielder hasn’t in a senior game for 11 months after suffering a devastating double leg-break in a challenge with West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon in January.

He made his return to action with the Toffee’s under-23 side, in a 1-0 victory over Manchester City, in October but the final step to senior competitive action has had to wait until now.

However Silva confirmed in Thursday’s press conference that the Glasgow-born midfielder is ready to return to action if selected to face Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

“[McCarthy] is training with the team,” Silva told reporters at Goodison Park.

“He is ready if I take the decision for him to play,” said the manager, who also hopes to have Ademola Lookman back to full fitness.

McCarthy hasn’t played a game for his country in more than two years, when he played 90 minutes in a 3-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Moldova on October 9th, 2016.