O’Neill explains big transfer 'opportunity' for former Cat

Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill is hoping that Corry Evans’ decision to join up with the national squad for their upcoming June fixtures will help him find a new club over the course of the summer.

O’Neill’s side face Spain and Andorra in early June, and Evans has been called into the squad for the first time since he suffered a major ACL injury in January 2023.

The 33-year-old’s impending departure from Sunderland was confirmed last week, meaning that he will be a free agent ahead of next season.

The Northern Ireland boss says both Evans and fellow forward Josh Magennis had the option not to join the squad in order to focus on their future, but he believes the experienced midfielder’s decision to do so could benefit him as he looks to find a new club this summer.

“It’s been tough for Corry,” O’Neill said.

“I was at the game where Corry injured himself – I remember talking to him after that game, and he said, ‘It will be fine, I’ll just be out for a few weeks'. Then, we got the news it was his ACL. It was a tough recovery. He was out for 18 months.

“It’s never easy when you’re on the other side of 30. When you come back, there’s always other little injuries that hold you back.

"Corry’s had calf problems since his return. He did get some minutes before leaving Sunderland, which is positive.

"He’s in that vacuum where he is looking for a new club. I think spending a couple of weeks with us will help him with that, as well as helping us. He’s keen to be involved.

“The players have that choice. I had a conversation with Josh, who is obviously in the same situation as Corry. I said, 'Look, if it's an issue for you, I fully understand that', but both players were very keen to come and be involved and play.

"It's never easy, that situation.

“For those lads in particular, Josh has maybe been in it, but I don't think Corry has been in this position before in his career.

"It's an uncertain time, but they're both at an age and point in their career where they've the experience to deal with it, and what this gives them is a bit of an opportunity.

"People can see that they're still involved at international level, and hopefully, if people pick up the phone to me over the summer and ask me how they are, I'm able to say they're in good shape.”

*Two of Sunderland’s recently released young players are attracting interest from clubs in

England and abroad.

18-year-old Joe Ryder featured on Sunderland’s released list at the end of the 2023-24 season despite a relatively successful season with the club’s Under-21s.

Ryder will likely feature for Sunderland once more against Tottenham Hotspur in the final of the Premier League 2.

It is understood that soon-to-be free-agent Ryder is attracting interest from America with several teams interested in offering the Sunderland-born player a scholarship and a chance to rejuvenate his promising career after the disappointment of being released by his hometown club.

Ben Creamer has gone on trial with League

Two side Barrow after his release. Creamer played 17 times for the Under18s in the Premier League during 2003-24, netting three goals.