Manchester United defender Jonny Evans pulls out of Northern Ireland Euro 2012 qualifiers with ankle problem

The centre-back played in the Old Trafford club's victory over Norwich City last weekend, but national team boss Nigel Worthington has been told he needs recovery time

5 Oct 2011 20:21:00

By Jamie Dunn

More On :  Estonia, Italy, Northern Ireland, Jonny Evans, Nigel Worthington
Johnny Evans, Manchester United
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Northern Ireland will be without Jonny Evans for their final Euro 2012 qualifiers against Estonia and Italy after the defender withdrew from the squad.
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Evans started and completed the full 90 minutes of Manchester United's nervy 2-0 victory over Norwich City at Old Trafford last weekend.

However, Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington has revealed he was told by the club that Evans needs time to recover from an ankle problem.

"Jonny is not here and he won't be here," Worthington told BBC Sport.

"He has an ongoing ankle problem. He did play at the weekend but the feeling at his club is that he does need rest and recuperation.

"We accept that and move on."

Northern Ireland would need victories over Estonia and Italy, while depending on Serbia and Slovenia's results, to stand any sort of chance of qualifying for Euro 2012.

Worthington's side are currently fifth in Group C, five points behind second-placed Serbia and 13 adrift of unbeaten Italy.

Evans joins Darren Fletcher as another Manchester United player to pull out of international duty this week after the midfielder withdrew from the Scotland squad with tonsillitis.

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