It's bad.
Everton manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed our worst fears: James McCarthy suffered a fibula and tibia double break against West Brom. The game finished 1-1 but much of the attention post-match was rightly focused on McCarthy's wellbeing.
The Republic of Ireland international suffered the horrible injury after an unfortunate clash with Baggies striker Salomon Rondon. It could mean that McCarthy will be out of action for around a year. Considering that he has only recently returned from a serious knee problem, it will be particularly difficult for him to accept.
Allardyce described it as an 'awful injury.' Speaking post-match, the Toffees boss said:
"It's a tibia and fibula fracture compounded. A very nasty injury."
https://twitter.com/DominicKing_DM/status/954764345157849089
https://twitter.com/EvertonNewsFeed/status/954765388784586752
It will rule McCarthy out for the remainder of Everton's season while it's highly unlikely that he will be back in time for the start of Ireland's Euro Nations League campaign in September.
We wish McCarthy a speedy recovery. After long-term play-offs to the likes of Coleman and Stephen Ireland, this isn't what Ireland fans wanted to see. Football is a cruel game sometimes.
