Evans has yet to join up with Northern Ireland for World Cup qualifiers
CENTRE-HALF IS STRUGGLING WITH FOOT PROBLEM
LEICESTER City defender Jonny Evans is yet to join up with the Northern Ireland squad as they begin their preparations for this week’s European qualifiers, writes Amie Wilson.
The 33-year-old had an injury-hit end to last season, something which has continued into the current campaign, with a foot problem – plantar fasciitis – causing him to miss the majority of games this season.
Evans started his first game since the FA Cup final in the 2-2 Europa League draw against Napoli last month, but was withdrawn at halftime.
He has since played the full 90 minutes of the Carabao Cup tie against Championship side Millwall, wearing the captain’s armband for the 2-0 win.
After that game, Rodgers revealed that the defender would be assessed for the Europa League trip to Legia Warsaw, but the defender did not travel due to illness.
It was hoped that Evans would be available for Sunday’s trip to Selhurst Park but the Northern Irishman was again left out of the squad.
Despite his injury concerns, the defender was named in Ian Baraclough’s Northern
Ireland squad for the current international fixtures. The nation take on Switzerland and Bulgaria away in World Cup qualifiers over the next week.
As they step up their preparations for the game, it has been revealed that Evans has not been training with the squad amid doubts over his fitness for the games. Despite this, the defender has not officially withdrawn from the squad, meaning that he could make his comeback over the next few days. Should that be the case, it could be a major boost for City ahead of their next Premier League game against Manchester United.
Speaking after announcing his squad, Baraclough vowed not to take any unnecessary risks with Evans.
“We are not going to put anyone at risk or gamble with anyone, and Jonny is in as good a position as anyone to make that call,” he said.
“We will make sure when he does come into camp we will look after him properly and make sure he is right. If he is not quite right, then between myself, Jonny and Brendan we will make that call.”
We are not going to gamble, Jonny is in as good a position as anyone to make that call
Ian Baraclough