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His current City deal runs out at the end of the season, but a run in the reserves has seen McCarthy catch manager Kevin Keegan's eye.
Although if the former Academy player does not make his way into the first team soon, it seems his days at the City of Manchester stadium could be numbered.
"If I don't involve Paddy pretty soon somewhere, then I have got to allow him to leave," said Keegan, who loaned the Irishman out to Boston United in 2003.
"That's the sort of deal I agreed with him when he signed for another year and what I told the board.
"We like Paddy, who has done well, because he has leadership qualities. His situation is one for the board to consider at the next meeting.
"Do they give him a bit longer here now that he is right on the fringes because we have not got a big squad now."
McCarthy skippered the Republic's Under 16 side at the 2000 European Championships and made his Under 21 debut last April against Poland, scoring two goals since.