Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill concerned by Paddy McNair’s lack of action
The IndependentSign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Michael O’Neill has admitted his concern over Paddy McNair’s lack of game time at West Brom ahead of Northern Ireland’s Nations League fixtures against Belarus and Bulgaria. “Certainly you want players playing games or getting the opportunity to come off the bench, so him not getting that is far from ideal.” O’Neill’s 25-man squad shows only two changes from last month, with Jamie Reid back from a leg injury to replace the sidelined Shayne Lavery, while 19-year-old goalkeeper Pierce Charles steps in for the injured Conor Hazard. It’s just a case of giving him the opportunity to develop.” While Reid returns, O’Neill could be without Cambridge forward Lavery not only for these games but the final Nations League fixtures in November after he suffered another hamstring injury, having been beset by problems in his final season with Blackpool last term. “He’s had a terrible time with a consistent hamstring injury and I know that he’s very diligent off the park to try to protect himself against re-injury but unfortunately he’s having to deal with this again.” But there could be an addition to O’Neill’s striking options by November with Ross County striker Ronan Hale switching allegiance, having represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level.