James McCarthy needs to spend time with Everton’s under-23 side before being considered for a first-team recall.
McCarthy is yet to feature for the Blues this season after suffering a knee injury on the eve of last month’s Premier League opener against Stoke City.
But the midfielder has still been included in Martin O’Neill’s squad for the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Wales.
Ronald Koeman, however, insists McCarthy will have to work his way back to match fitness for Everton after ruling him out of Sunday’s visit of Burnley.
“He did the first part of the session today but not the rest of it,” said Koeman.
“He needs game time first with the under-23s.
“That’s how players need to come back from a long time out injured.”