Northern Ireland receive major boost as ‘Leeds legend’ Stuart Dallas returns to club training

Stuart Dallas is back in training with Leeds United

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill received a massive boost this week with news that Stuart Dallas had returned to training for Leeds United.

On Thursday, when one of the country’s modern day greats Craig Cathcart announced his retirement from playing, another in the shape of Dallas received a guard of honour from Leeds team-mates as he made his way on to the training pitch after almost 18 months on the sidelines due to a serious knee injury.

How Northern Ireland have missed Dallas in that period. Prior to his injury the former Crusaders hero was in outstanding form for club and country showing his class and versatility. In one international he played in five different positions and excelled in every one.

In April last year Dallas broke his femur bone against Manchester City in the Premier League. It has been a tough and testing road back and he even faced rumours that he would be forced to retire, but the Cookstown man showed great determination and desire to come back and is now being rewarded for all his hard work through the rehabilitation process..

Earlier this month O’Neill said he was not expecting Dallas to play in the upcoming October and November Euro qualifiers. Whether that will change time will tell, but the thought of having the 32-year-old available again at some point in the future will be immensely pleasing for the Northern Ireland supremo and the Green and White Army.

It is also brilliant for Leeds, who have missed Dallas as much as his country and are now in the Championship after the ex-Brentford ace helped them into the Premier League before going on to shine in England’s top flight.

Describing Dallas as a ‘Leeds legend’, Elland Road boss