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Igesund told the supersport.com website he understands McCarthy has a hamstring twinge and that it is unlikely he will recover in time.
The coach said he will not be selecting any players who are carrying injuries when he names his 23-man squad on December 30.
“The risk is too high to take injured players. I need everyone that I take along. I have not spoken to the player but I have spoken to his coach, Roger de Sa, on several occasions.”
The 35-year-old striker is expected to join up with a 32-man preliminary squad on Thursday for a three-day Bafana Bafana training camp where his fitness will be assessed.
“I’m sure he’ll be honest at camp and he’ll tell me how it feels. We’ll also be able to see whether he will make it or not," said Igesund.
McCarthy hurt his hamstring making his return for Bafana Bafana against Brazil in September in his first international in more than two years.
He has since played fleetingly for Orlando Pirates after a three month lay-off but again broke down in training last week, his club said.
