Season › 2013-14 › News McCarthy on disciplinary tightrope to make Mersey derby Lyndon Lloyd , 9 November, 0comments | Jump to most recent James McCarthy is expected to play against Crystal Palace today even though he is one booking away from a suspension that would rule him out of the derby against Liverpool in a fortnight's time. Roberto Martinez appears to have no plans to rest the Irish international for the trip to Selhurst Park and says that he will not risk him collecting a booking by giving him special instructions. "I won't say anything to him," said Martinez of the 23-year-old who has quickly established himself as a vital cog in Everton's midfield machine. "Through experience you realise that when you've got something in your head, normally it goes against you. He needs to be normal and natural with his way of play and that will allow him to be himself." McCarthy was booked early on in the season playing for Wigan Athletic against Barnsley and has collected another three for the Blues since his big-money move on transfer deadline day. One more booking would mean a one-game suspension from the Football Association, though his slate would be wiped clean if he can make it to the New Year without receiving another yellow card. "James McCarthy isn't a player that gets bookings in his normal way of playing," his manager continued. "Last year he played every single game for Wigan and in 38 games he was never banned because of a yellow card. It's a situation where he's come to a new club and been adjusting and adapting and getting to know the players around him. "That's probably why he's got the number of bookings that he has." Quotes or other material sourced from The Guardian About these ads © ToffeeWeb