James McCarthy has indicated to Off The Ball that the Republic of Ireland's upcoming Euro 2020 qualifier against Denmark may come a bit too soon for him to make his long-awaited international return.
The Crystal Palace midfielder hasn't played for the Boys in Green since the 3-1 World Cup qualifying win away to Moldova in October 2016.
McCarthy made his eighth appearance of the season for the Eagles in yesterday's 2-0 Premier League defeat at home against Leicester City and he spoke to Off The Ball after the game.
"The most important thing for me just now is playing club football and once I'm back playing regularly, I'll look to try and get back in [the Irish] squad," said McCarthy.
The 28-year-old left Everton for Selhurst Park in an £8 million deal last July after a couple of injury-hit seasons at Goodison Park.
Having missed a large chunk of the 2017/18 season with hamstring and knee injuries, he suffered a horrific double-leg fracture just four games into his return in January 2018.
McCarthy, capped 41 times for Ireland, only managed one more substitute appearance for the Toffees, last April, before he was moved on.
"I need to play for my club and then the international [side of things] can take care of itself"
OTB's @Dubsoulrebel caught up with James McCarthy after Palace's loss to Leicester today and the Irish midfielder made it very clear club football is his priority | @Paddypower pic.twitter.com/KQ7B2fZAHD— Off The Ball (@offtheball) November 3, 2019
The Glasgow native had some decent touches on the ball against Leicester and also played well in his only start for the south-Londoners, in their win at West Ham last month.
He confirmed to Off The Ball that Irish boss Mick McCarthy, who included him in his provisional 39-man squad last week, has been "in touch a few times".
"He's saying to me that I need to get playing week-in, week-out," said McCarthy before adding; "As I said, the most important thing just now is getting back to playing week-in, week-out with the club and the international (team) will take care of itself.
"It's nice to see the boys are doing well and we've got a big game this month but the most important thing just now is me playing week-in, week-out with the club."
