Shayne Lavery ready to reinforce Northern Ireland’s frontline after injury return
Attacker Shayne Lavery is fit again for Blackpool and Northern Ireland after suffering a hamstring blow
Mark Sykes believes his Republic of Ireland chances have been boosted by his form at Bristol City
Shayne Lavery is set to return to the Northern Ireland squad after recovering from a hamstring injury.
The 24-year-old pulled out of Michael O’Neill’s panel for the Euro 2024 qualifying double-header against Slovenia in Ljubljana and Kazakhstan in Astana.
O’Neill will name his squad for the qualifiers against San Marino and Slovenia on Wednesday.
Northern Ireland face San Marino at Windsor Park on Saturday, October 14, before hosting Slovenia on Tuesday, October 17.
Lavery hobbled off during Blackpool’s 3-0 defeat by Lincoln in August but came off the bench in the 4-1 victory over Reading at Bloomfield Road last weekend.
“I didn’t think my hamstring was as bad as it was – it was a grade one,” said the former Linfield striker. “It took an extra few days to recover, that’s why I missed the Wycombe game (on September 16).
“It definitely felt good to be back out on the pitch.
“There’s been no issues in training. I was only out for two or three weeks, so I didn’t lose my fitness. I’m feeling good – I’m ready to go.”
Lavery and Mark Sykes were part of the Glenavon team that won the Harry Cavan Youth Cup in 2015.
Sykes is arguing that his form with Championship side Bristol City merits a recall to the senior Republic of Ireland squad.
Following his decision to declare for the Republic of Ireland after a spell in the underage set-up with Northern Ireland, the Belfast native was an unused sub twice, against Belgium and Lithuania, before manager Stephen Kenny handed him his first cap as a sub in a friendly win away to Malta.
He was
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