Michael O’Neill is assured Jonny Evans can be match to guide Northern Ireland into their Euro 2024 qualifying marketing campaign later this month regardless of an damage which has stored the Leicester defender out since November.
Evans has been named in O’Neill’s first Northern Ireland squad since he returned to the nationwide job in December, and the 35-year-old’s expertise can be key in a gaggle that’s lacking captain Steven Davis, Stuart Dallas, Corry Evans, Ali McCann, and Shayne Lavery resulting from accidents.
But Evans – who earned his one hundredth cap in what proved to be Ian Baraclough’s closing sport in cost in Greece – has not performed for Leicester since earlier than the World Cup, struggling with a calf damage and extra not too long ago a thigh pressure.
“I’ve spoken to Jonny and I think he’s coming on really well,” stated O’Neill, who will take his aspect to San Marino on March 23 earlier than going through Finland at Windsor Park three days later.
“He had a slight setback, he picked up a thigh strain which set him back a couple of weeks but he’s back with the medical team on the grass and they’re hoping he will be available to play in an under-21 game if not this week, certainly before the international break.
“He’s obviously massively keen to be back fit for Leicester, that’s his priority but equally he’s a player that has over 100 caps, he’s very keen on prolonging his international career as long as possible and hopefully he’ll be ready to play.”
Evans has been named in a gaggle that additionally contains Craig Cathcart and Shane Ferguson – all gamers who have been in O’Neill’s first Northern Ireland squad again in 2012.
But whereas these two rely as stalwarts, O’Neill has had to herald 4 uncapped gamers in a youthful 26-man group for his return as a result of appreciable variety of accidents he’s coping with.
Davis, 38, suffered a double ACL tear in December, whereas faint hopes that Dallas, out with a damaged leg suffered final season, would possibly return in time for this window have been dashed.
With Corry Evans and McCann additionally lacking, O’Neill is with out 4 midfield regulars and so has known as in Everton’s Isaac Price, Motherwell’s Sean Goss and Oostende midfielder Cameron McGeehan. Bolton defender Eoin Toal is the fourth new face.
Goss and McGeehan are each 27 and did obtain senior calls in 2018 throughout O’Neill’s first stint, however every needed to withdraw via damage. Price, 19, made his Premier League debut for Everton final season, whereas Toal, 24, is a former under-21s captain.
With the likes of Shea Charles and Dale Taylor additionally included, there may be actually a youthful really feel to this squad.
“I certainly sense the senior players are excited about the campaign and that’s important because they drive anything,” O’Neill stated. “It’s a blow to have players unavailable, particularly Stuart and Steven and Corry with longer-term injuries.
“We have to find that excitement without those players for the time being. The younger players have to bring a bit of vibrancy and a bit of energy to the group as well. We can’t always be dependent on the senior players in the squad.”
There isn’t any place for Kyle Lafferty, the 35-year-old who was despatched house from the final camp after a video emerged of him utilizing sectarian language in a bar, for which he later apologised.
The incident led to Lafferty being suspended by Kilmarnock and he was later launched on the finish of the switch window. He has since returned to Northern Ireland with Linfield, however is but to attain for his new membership.
“He’s looking for form and fitness and I don’t think at this minute in time international football would be the right thing for him,” O’Neill stated. “The door is not shut, it has never been shut on anyone. The responsibility lies with the player in terms of form and fitness.”