Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has hit back at Roy Keane for “saying some stupid things” following the Ireland assistant’s comments about Toffees boss Roberto Martinez over the management of his international players.

Keane took Martinez to task over his handling of injuries to key Ireland players Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy, who both missed last month’s qualifiers with McCarthy also sitting out this time around after reporting with a hamstring problem.

Keane said: ‘‘You always get the impression from Everton that Seamus and James are both barely able to walk, that type of thing. So when they actually turn up and they are walking through the reception, ‘Praise the Lord, it’s a miracle’.’’

Responding to that, Kenwright told Sky Sports News HQ: “I’m a big fan of Roy Keane’s but he does say some stupid things.

“That is just totally unfair, we absolutely love our players going on international duty and we never ever get in the way of them and Roberto Martinez will be as shocked as everyone at Everton.”

Keane and Republic manager Martin O’Neill are hoping Everton trio Coleman, McCarthy and Darron Gibson can help them qualify for Euro 2016.

Midfielder McCarthy has missed the last three qualifiers through injury, though, including Friday’s loss to Scotland, while Coleman also missed last month’s draw with Germany.

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