'We have to hope they've enough in their legs' - O'Neill concern over players' lack of game time
NI manager says he'll have to manage squad ahead of Euro double
Northern Ireland boss, Michael O’Neill, admits he does have some concerns about the lack of game time affecting the majority of his squad – ahead of back-to-back Euro qualifiers.
“I think there is maybe 15 or 16 players in that 27 who didn’t start for their clubs at the weekend,” he said.
“We just have to hope that when they come in that they have got enough in their legs to be able to take care of both games.”
O’Neill is aware his squad will be pushed to the limit.
And he says he will have to manage the players carefully with just three days between matches.
“There is no problem with them coming in and having the appetite to play and the hunger to play – that will always be there – I have no concerns around that.”
Northern Ireland face Estonia at Windsor Park next Thursday before they take on Belarus on Sunday.