James McCarthy returns to Everton's matchday squad for first time since breaking leg

Everton and Republic of Ireland midfielder James McCarthy will be in the matchday squad for the first time in a year in this weekend’s FA Cup.

McCarthy has not played a senior game since breaking his leg against West Bromwich Albion in January, but manager Marco Silva has confirmed he will be in the 18-man squad list to face Lincoln City.

The 28-year-old has not yet made the bench under the new manager. He has featured in a series of reserve games, but in recent weeks has been linked with loan moves out of Goodison Park.

Silva wants to see if McCarthy can recapture his form and become a key part of his plans for the rest of this season. “I can tell you he will be in the 18-man squad list for the match. If he is in the squad he is ready to play,” said Silva.

“He is training every day with us in all the sessions. It is up to me to decide whether he starts the game or not.

“I cannot promise anything. If he is in our squad it is because he has the conditions to play. He is working hard and showing quality. 

“He is a player I looked at when I came here. I knew he had a really bad injury and when I became manager he told me how many months he would be out.