Wolves striker Fletcher controversially texted the Scottish Football Association in February to say he no longer wished to be selected for international duty. The highly-publicised withdrawal developed into a stand-off between Fletcher and Levein and the former Hibernian striker has not been in a Scotland squad since.
McCarthy, who played for and managed the Republic of Ireland, said: "I have said to him (Fletcher) that I've been an international player and an international manager and I understand all the things that go along with that. And playing for your country is the best thing you can do."
He added: "And who knows? You might just end up in the finals of the European Championships or World Cups - we did!
"He doesn't want to miss that. He wants to play so it is up to everyone to sort that out. Not me."
"Why the hell I am encouraging him to play?" McCarthy added with a smile.
"It just means I have another player away for two weeks.
"It's doing me a disservice.
"But I am pragmatic about that. They do go away but I want what is the best for the players and to play at international level is wonderful because you learn playing at that level.
"I was a better player having played for the Republic."
Source: PA
Source: PA