Ronald Koeman has reiterated his dissatisfaction with Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill for failing to look after James McCarthy.
The Everton boss is preparing for Saturday's derby at Liverpool, live on Sky Sports 1HD, without three of his key players injured on international duty - Argentina's Ramiro Funes Mori and Ireland pair Seamus Coleman and McCarthy.
McCarthy pulled up with a recurrence of a hamstring problem in the warm-up ahead of their 0-0 draw with Wales on March 24.
According to Sky sources, Ireland's management team were furious over Koeman's initial analysis of the handling of McCarthy, and the Dutchman reiterated his feelings in Friday's press conference.
"I'm not surprised but disappointed. Everton's medical team advised extreme caution due to McCarthy's current injury and his previous injuries," Koeman said reading out a prepared statement.
"The assessment of the Ireland medical team was that it would be high risk for James to play. When asked to play he of course decided to play for his country and said he was fit.
"He was selected to start. In my opinion, the Ireland manager in this instance was not protecting the player. Clearly James was not fit. He had only two days training for Ireland and broke down in the warm-up.
"He had not played for three weeks before the Wales game. In my opinion he would need at least one full week of training with the team to be declared fit.
"I spoke to James, he needs to take responsibility. But this is not the first time."
It is not the first time Koeman and O'Neill have had a difference in opinion and it is understood that the Ireland boss tried to contact Everton's counterpart on several occasions before Christmas, but the calls were left unreturned.
Behind the scenes, the FAI is frustrated by what they see as Koeman's unwillingness to talk to them, whilst being willing to discuss his concerns with the media.
Koeman's men face Liverpool in the 228th Merseyside derby having already lost right-back Coleman for several months after a double leg break playing against Wales, while Funes Mori was injured playing for Argentina in La Paz.
Koeman added: "In one week we lost three players, players who normally in the starting line-up. We still have a strong team for Saturday. It's a nice challenge."
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