The Mail on Sunday

Cathcart finally joins fray

- Chris Wheeler

THE road to Russia 2018 is long enough without having to endure the painstakin­g return to fitness that has kept Craig Cathcart out of Northern Ireland’s World Cup campaign until now.

When the Watford defender limped out of a 2-0 defeat at Burnley in September, he could never have imagined that a groin injury would prove so difficult to fix as he travelled around Europe in search of a cure. He finally underwent surgery with Dr Ulrike Muschaweck in Munich in November followed by two weeks of rehab in Qatar.

Cathcart, 28, returned for Watford on New Year’s Day and is ready to resume his internatio­nal career tonight as Northern Ireland face Norway at Windsor Park. Michael O’Neill’s men hope to secure a play-off spot and are currently second in Group C behind favourites Germany.

‘It was really frustratin­g,’ said Cathcart of his enforced lay-off.

‘I’m glad I can come back into the squad and the team is in such a strong position. Hopefully I can help them push on.’

Northern Ireland v Norway, 7.45pm, live on Sky Sports 2

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom