Evans’ options for foreign travel are growing

JONNY EVANS’S decision to learn Spanish shouldn’t be taken as a sign that he is preparing to join the Pep Guardiola revolution at Manchester City after all, but the West Bromwich Albion defender is open to new opportunities.

West Brom rejected City’s £18million offer for Evans in the summer before Arsenal and Leicester City tested their resolve with unsuccessful bids of £25m for the Northern Ireland centre-back.

Evans is philosophical about the situation as he prepares for his country’s World Cup qualifier against Norway in Oslo this evening.

He is happy at the Hawthorns but contemplating what might come next as his 30th birthday approaches. ‘You get to that stage of thinking about your options and what lies ahead. You have to make decisions, and sometimes very quick decisions in football.’

For now, Evans’s foreign travel is limited to international duty as Northern Ireland seek to follow up their first appearance at the European Championship finals last summer by reaching the World Cup for the first time since 1986.

Michael O’Neill’s side are already assured of second position in Group C regardless of the result tonight.

‘Whoever we get (in the play-offs), it will be a great occasion and amazing to be a part of because it’s to see who reaches the World Cup finals.

‘Just imagine getting to that. It would eclipse everything we did at the Euros,’ said Evans. TV: Sky Sports Football from 7.15pm (kick-off 7.45pm).