Evans - 'transfer spec did not affect me'

Jonny Evans insists speculation around his future at club level has not fazed him.

The defender who played for Northern Ireland last night in their historic 3-0 win over San Marino in the first of a World Cup qualifying double header, was at the centre of a transfer deadline tug of war involving three top Premiership sides.

Arsenal, Manchester City and Leicester were all chasing the West Brom captain’s signature – having had previous bids rejected.

But Evans is now staying at the Hawthorns.

He said he is used to all the rumours.

“I think I’m quite strong mentally – you know over the years you learn to deal with that as a footballer and obviously the (transfer) window closes one day before the game so it’s not ideal so the game came at the right time,” he said.

Meanwhile, Evans is not expecting any issues when he returns to West Brom next week.

The 29-year-old says he hopes to simply carrying on from where he left off.

I don't really know much of what went on because I've been away on international duty,'' he said of his saga.

You try to focus on that when you're in a hotel but when I get back I'm sure I will have a chat with the chairman and the manager, but before I left we'd said, 'If something happens or it doesn't we'll just get on with it'.

As a player you don't really know what's going on a lot of the time and a lot of things are word of mouth.

We're not involved in that process but everything was left on good terms because it was a hypothetical situation. I just want to get on with what I was doing and see what happens.

I'm a West Brom player and I'm the captain. I spoke about that in my programme notes last week and I'll be looking forward to going back and seeing the lads.'

• Jonny Evans