Michael O’Neill says Northern Ireland will not be reckless over friendly minutes | OneFootball

Michael O’Neill says Northern Ireland will avoid being reckless with players’ minutes before crucial club run-in, as his side face Wales in a Cardiff friendly on Tuesday.

The issue arose amid concerns over club commitments after both nations lost World Cup play-offs last week, Northern Ireland to Italy and Wales to Bosnia-Herzegovina. According to ExpressAndStar.com, concerns focus on international minutes affecting domestic battles.

Isaac Price is central for O’Neill’s squad and for James Morrison’s Albion, who are fighting relegation alongside Blackburn. The sides meet at Ewood Park next Monday. O’Neill, contracted at Blackburn until the season’s end, said he is mindful of clubs and noted around 80 per cent of his squad are EFL players, yet the national side must also look after itself.

He added that EFL players are used to heavy schedules and should cope with the demands of a friendly. He has two years left on his Northern Ireland contract. Four Northern Ireland players returned to their clubs after the play-off defeat.

Blackburn sit 19th, one place above Albion on goal difference going into Good Friday’s return to league action. The Baggies are four points clear of the drop.

Price, 22, started brightly then dipped, but has impressed under Morrison from the left and was joint-top for chances created in March with Ipswich left-back Leif Davis on 12. Albion keep close tabs on their internationals, with potential action on Tuesday for Jayson Molumby, Ousmane Diakite and Wales under-21 pair Ollie Bostock and Alex Williams.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com