James McCarthy willing to bide time to make impact at Everton

The £13m signing from Wigan could make his debut this weekend

James McCarthy (Getty Images)

New Everton signing James McCarthy is prepared to wait for his chance to make an impact at Goodison Park.

McCarthy joined the Toffees from Wigan in a deal worth an initial £13million in the frantic closing minutes of the summer transfer window last week.

Since then the 22-year-old has been away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland and has had little time to familiarise himself with his new surroundings.

He has now joined up with his new team-mates for training ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Chelsea but he is not expecting to go straight into the side.

McCarthy said: "I have been away for internationals but I am happy to be back.

"Hopefully I can play some part in the game but I need to wait and see.

"It is going to be hard. I need to try to work hard on and off the pitch.

"I have got real competition at the club. There are a lot of big names here and we have a big squad. If I need to bide my time, I will bide my time.

"Hopefully I can go on and try to take my chance when I get it."

McCarthy's move to Goodison - on the day Gareth Barry and Romelu Lukaku were also signed but Marouane Fellaini and Victor Anichebe left - reunited him with his former Wigan boss Roberto Martinez.

Martinez signed McCarthy for Wigan for just £1.1million from Hamilton four years ago.

He established himself as a fine top-flight prospect under the Spaniard and featured in last season's FA Cup triumph.

McCarthy said: "It is good to be reunited with the gaffer.

"I loved my time at Wigan and I enjoyed my time there under Owen Coyle, but to get a chance to work under the gaffer again - it was a huge offer.

"He is a very good manager. You can see how he likes to play football. It is always pleasing on the eye for people watching.

"I enjoy passing the ball and getting on the ball and that is what the gaffer does.

"Coming to such a huge club was also something I didn't want to pass up.

"As soon as I heard they were interested there was no looking back."

PA