Jonny Evans latest ahead of Manchester United clash as international agreement made

Jonny Evans could feature for Northern Ireland against Luxembourg on Friday as he continues his comeback from injury.

The Leicester City defender made his first appearance of 2022 at the weekend, coming on for the last 20 minutes of the 2-1 win over Brentford in the Premier League. His return has come earlier than expected after the 34-year-old underwent surgery on a hamstring injury.

Evans’ return will serve as a major boost to City with the Northern Irishman being a key player for Brendan Rodgers’ side over the last three seasons. The defender was one of the first names on the team sheet before his injury with his experience and leadership skills invaluable to a young side.

Evans was originally left out of the Northern Ireland side for the international friendlies against Luxembourg and Hungary this week. But his return to action led to an agreement between City and the national side.

"Brendan had made me aware a couple of days before that he was back in training probably earlier than what they had expected and would we like to use him in the camp," said Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough. “To have Jonny for the first part of the camp is great. He loves playing for the country.”

The agreement does mean that Evans will only be available to play in the game against Luxembourg on Friday, before returning to City, as his minutes are managed. Rodgers has seen the break as a good opportunity for the centre-back to build up more minutes after his return at the weekend.

“It will be good for the likes of Jonny to go away and get some minutes for Northern Ireland, that will work really well for us,” he said following the win over Brentford . How many minutes he will play in Friday’s game is still to be seen.

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