Ronald Koeman is unsure when James McCarthy will return to Everton action.
McCarthy has not featured for the Blues since a cameo in last month’s defeat at Tottenham before suffering a fresh injury relapse on Republic of Ireland duty.
The midfielder continually declared himself fit for his country despite enduring a season beset by muscle problems, much to Koeman’s regular frustration.
And the Everton manager admits that he cannot guarantee that McCarthy will make another appearance in the remaining five games of the campaign.
“He’s still working separate from the group,” revealed Koeman.
“With four weeks to go, I don’t know if he needs to be at a good level physically to play.
“We will wait because it’s not the first time that he is out [of action] and then, okay, we need to wait to see how he is recovering.
“At what time in the season he will be back available, I don’t know.
“I really don’t know.”