Tuesday, 28 August 2012

Manchester United's Jonny Evans named in Northern Ireland squad

Jonny Evans has been passed fit for Michael O'Neill's first two competitive matches in charge of Northern Ireland.
The Manchester United defender had ankle surgery at the end of last season and has not played so far this term, although he did make the bench for United's win over Fulham.
Evans's appearance record for his country is patchy, but he is integral to O'Neill's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup, and has been named in the 23-man squad that takes on Russia on 7 September and Luxembourg four days later at Windsor Park.
O'Neill has been in charge of three friendly matches since taking over from Nigel Worthington and, although he has yet to win, there were encouraging signs in the 3-3 draw against Finland.
He ran the rule over a host of players in defeats to Norway and Holland, and has now settled on his first competitive squad.
One notable absentee is the country's record scorer, David Healy. The much-travelled striker was not involved in the Finland match either, but has since signed for Bury and scored from the penalty spot on his debut.
The Sion forward Kyle Lafferty remains first-choice up front, and he is joined by Walsall's Will Grigg, Burnley's Martin Paterson, who scored his maiden international goal against the Finns, and the Rangers duo Dean Shiels and Andy Little.
Both Shiels and Little will have to prove they are capable of balancing life in the bottom tier of Scottish football with a World Cup qualifying campaign, but O'Neill has vowed to give them every chance to do so.

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