"I don't want people making mountains out of molehills," said McCarthy who is again also without injured central defenders Kenny Cunningham and Gary Breen.

"We've had to cope without Roy before - sometimes successfully sometimes not. And I know people are looking for the story of him not being available again. You can make that story as big as you like.

"But I can't do anything about Roy not coming with us to Estonia. So I have to concentrate on the qualities of the players who are here.

"We've got Matty Holland to come in and he's never let us down. Mark Kinsella is fit and we've also got Lee Carsley available.

"I've said it before about Matty and it's the best compliment I can pay him that since he's been in the squad we don't miss Roy as much as we used to.

"You won't find anybody around the place worrying, complaining or bemoaning the fact that Roy's not with us again.

"We love him and he gives us such a boost with his stature and ability, He was fantastic against Portugal. He's seldom been better - and that's saying something.

"But now he's gone and as far as I'm concerned the only players to think about now are the ones capable of helping us in Estonia."