‘Evans move won’t be a big problem’

Michael O’Neill is confident that Jonny Evans’ transfer saga will not derail Northern Ireland’s San Marino preparations, with the centre-back’s future still unresolved heading into the window’s final stages.

West Brom have already turned down bids from Manchester City and Leicester for their 29-year-old captain, while long-standing admirers Arsenal are also said to be keen again.

Evans’ suitors only have until 11pm tonight to clinch a deal and any move could be complicated by the fact Evans was due to leave for San Marino with his international colleagues this morning.

As things stand, O’Neill expects to have Evans on that flight, but he is prepared to make alternative arrangements should a late move materialise.

“Whatever happens Jonny will be ready to play on Friday, I’ve no doubts about that,” he said. “It’s a difficult situation for any player, for myself the manager and all international managers I’m sure.

“Our job is just to focus on ourselves and should a club agree terms or should a transfer come to fruition that we facilitate it in the best way possible but also the club do it in such a way that is least disruptive to ourselves.

“Equally we’re not in a position to turn around and say to a player, ‘he can’t leave, he can’t do that’. It’s his career that is at stake.

“If something does happen,we’refairlyconfidentit won’t disrupt us too much.”