Michael O’Neill to put faith in youth as injuries pile up for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill will be leaning on young players again for next month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers with injuries continuing to limit his options. O’Neill is yet to confirm a date to name his squad for the qualifiers away to Denmark and at home to Kazakhstan in mid-June, but he has already ruled seven senior players out of contention due to long-term injuries. Steven Davis, Stuart Dallas, Corry Evans, Liam Boyce, Josh Magennis, Conor Washington and Shane Ferguson will play no part in the matches, which has meant O’Neill has had his eye on potential call-ups while leading an under-21 training camp in Belfast this week. O’Neill is due to hold two training camps in England between now and the qualifiers, trying to keep players whose seasons have already finished fit during the intervening period, and some of the under-21s will be involved. “This is where this is really important to us,” O’Neill said. “We will use some of these players in the next weeks and this gives them some exposure to the senior squad. “We know Steven and Stuart are still injured, Corry and Liam Boyce are still not back playing any first-team football, Josh Magennis will be out, Conor Washington is out and Shane Ferguson has had groin surgery, so that’s seven players that’s missing. “It is going to challenge us. We had younger players in the squad for March and we will have younger players again next month.” Dallas has been out all season following a double leg-break, meaning the versatile player has been unable to help Leeds in their fight against relegation. With Jonny Evans’ Leicester also under threat going into the final day of the top-flight season on Sunday, Northern Ireland could potentially be left without any Premier League regulars next season. However, O’Neill said that would not necessarily have a major impact on the national team. “I realise that as the Premier League continues to go in the direction it goes that we will always have a limited number of players playing in the Premier League,” he said. “Probably when I came into the job in 2012 we had most of our players playing there, maybe six or seven at that point in time, but it was also a time when the international team was not doing particularly well. “The most important thing is that players are playing regularly. Going forward we will predominantly be made up of Championship and League One players, hopefully some Premier League players as well, that’s just something we have to accept. “It’s very difficult for some of the younger lads who are at Premier League clubs to find that pathway to break in. In the Premier League there is no patience, managers can’t afford it. You can lose your job – and you see the number of changes in the Premier League and Championship this season. “I would love to be going to Premier League matches every week but I’m not. I’m going to Championship, League One, League Two, Scottish Premiership and under-21 games in England. I’m going to see Isaac Price and Shea Charles playing under-21 games. “That’s where we are with the resources we have.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Tottenham is a big club – Ryan Mason sure Spurs job still attractive proposition Julen Lopetegui wants to ‘solve the problem’ amid doubts over his Wolves future Don’t be overawed by Wembley, says Liam Kelly as Coventry aim for Premier League
2023-05-27 05:30
Asia shares start Dec on cautious note, oil nurses losses
By Stella Qiu SYDNEY Asian sharemarkets started the last month of the year on a cautious note after
2023-12-01 10:14
Enjoy Pre-Prime Day Savings on Language Learning With Babbel for Under $180
If an overseas vacation is on the horizon this year, learning the language before you
2023-07-02 19:00
ESPN's Renovated 'SportsCenter' Studio Debuts Today, Here's a Sneak Preview
Lots of bells and whistles.
2023-09-07 21:36
World's First Brokerage-as-a-Service Platform Breaks The Mold, Pinnacle Realty Advisors Enters California
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 18, 2023--
2023-07-19 03:29
Bronny James, son of Lebron, has a congenital heart defect, family says
Bronny James, the older son of NBA superstar LeBron James, has been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect and should fully recover from his cardiac arrest last month, his family said Friday.
2023-08-26 19:48
Yuan loses core support as firms leave China
By Samuel Shen and Tom Westbrook SHANGHAI/SYDNEY Since China opened to foreign investment in 1978 under Deng Xiaoping,
2023-08-07 21:19
Iconic music figure axed from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame board
The cofounder of Rolling Stone magazine, Jann Wenner, has been ousted from his seat on the board of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation for comments blasted as...
2023-09-17 09:00
Brooks Robinson, Orioles third baseman with 16 Gold Gloves, has died. He was 86
Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson, whose deft glovework and folksy manner made him one of the most beloved and accomplished athletes in Baltimore history, has died
2023-09-27 06:14
Real Madrid file hate crime complaint after Vinicius targeted by racist abuse
Real Madrid say racism directed at Vinicius Junior constitutes a ‘hate crime’ and have filed a complaint with the Spanish State Attorney General’s Office. Brazil forward Vinicius was the subject of an alleged racist attack during Real’s 1-0 LaLiga defeat at Valencia on Sunday. The game was paused after the break as Vinicius pointed out to the referee those who were allegedly abusing him in the stands at the Mestalla – and the 22-year-old later took to social media to say racism is ‘normal’ in LaLiga. “Real Madrid CF shows its strongest revulsion and condemns the events that took place yesterday against our player Vinicius Junior,” the club said in a strongly-worded statement on Monday. “These facts constitute a direct attack on the coexistence model of our social and democratic state of law. “Real Madrid considers that such attacks also constitute a hate crime, for which reason it has filed the corresponding complaint with the state attorney general’s office, specifically with the prosecutor’s office against hate crimes and discrimination, so that the facts can be investigated and clear responsibilities. “Article 124 of the Spanish constitution establishes the functions of the public prosecutor’s office to promote the action of justice in defence of legality and the rights of citizens and the public interest. “For this reason, and given the seriousness of the events that occurred, Real Madrid has turned to the sate attorney general’s office, without prejudice to its appearance as a private prosecution in the proceedings that are being initiated.” In a statement on Instagram, Vinicius – who was sent off for violent conduct in added time of Real’s defeat following an altercation with striker Hugo Duro – said: “It wasn’t the first time, not the second and not the third. Racism is normal in LaLiga. “The competition thinks it’s normal, so does the Federation and the opponents encourage it. I am so sorry. “The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano (Ronaldo) and (Lionel) Messi, today belongs to the racists. “A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and I love, but which accepted to export the image to the world from a racist country. “Sorry for the Spaniards who do not agree, but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists. “And unfortunately with everything that happens on a weekly basis, I have no way to defend. I agree. But I’m strong and will go to the end against the racists. Even though it’s far from here.” LaLiga president Javier Tebas responded to Vinicius’ post on Sunday by accusing the forward for “criticising and insulting” the league. In another tweet on Monday, Tebas said: “Neither Spain nor @LaLiga are racist. It is very unfair to say this. “How @LaLiga we denounce and fight racism with all rigidity within our competences. This season there were 9 cases of racist insults (8 of them for insults against @vinijr) “We always identify the violators and take the complaint to the legislating bodies. It doesn’t matter that they are few, they are relentless. “We cannot allow the image of a competition that is about the symbol of peoples union to be tarnished, where more than 200 players are of black origin in 42 clubs that receive in each round the respect and affection of the fans, being the racism an extremely specific case (9 complaints) that we are going to eliminate.” Valencia released a statement on their club website condemning what happened and confirming they will investigate what happened. Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand took to Instagram in support of Vinicius and questioned player protection. “Bro you need protecting….who is protecting Vinicius Junior in Spain??” Ferdinand posted. “He receives a red card after being choked and receiving racial abuse during the game… wtf. “How many times do we need to see this young man subjected to this s**t?? I see pain, I see disgust, I see him needing help… and the authorities don’t do s**t to help him. “People need to stand together and demand more from the authorities that run our game. “No one deserves this, yet you are allowing it. There needs to be a unified approach to this otherwise it will be swept under the carpet AGAIN.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Glamorgan aiming to make cricket more diverse in Wales John Stones wants Man City to ‘make some more history’ as they chase treble Norrie up and down as Murray and Raducanu sit out – British tennis picture
2023-05-22 19:36
Hundreds killed in Gaza hospital blast, West Bank protests erupt
By Nidal al-Mughrabi GAZA About 500 Palestinians were killed in a blast at a Gaza City hospital on
2023-10-18 07:20
BII, ILX to Co-Fund $500 Million of Sustainable Development
British International Investment Plc and the Netherlands-based ILX Management plan to co-fund as much as $500 million in
2023-10-16 15:00
You Might Like...
Lofty valuations on US stocks a growing worry for investors
Tsitsipas splits with Philippoussis days before French Open
Nagorno-Karabakh profile
Rising yields may pressure BOJ to consider raising newly set cap
How to preorder the Meta Quest 3
'Quordle' today: Here are the answers and hints for July 7
Starc strikes as England collapse in 2nd Ashes Test
Did Robert Downey Jr diss 'Iron Man' role? 'Oppenheimer' star thought his muscles 'atrophied' after decade-long Marvel role
