Stuart Dallas ruled out of Northern Ireland double-header

Stuart Dallas has been ruled out of Northern Ireland’s Euro 2024 qualifying double-header next month along with Steven Davis and Corry Evans.

Dallas has not played since breaking his leg in April 2022 but had previously targeted a return in time to feature for Northern Ireland in June’s qualifiers.

After Dallas missed those games, boss Michael O’Neill on Monday confirmed the Leeds player would also be out for September’s trips to Slovenia and Kazakhstan.

Captain Davis, who suffered an ACL injury in December last year, and Corry Evans, out with cruciate ligament damage since January, will also miss out once again.

"Steven and Stuart will not be involved in the games in September, they are still not at that fitness level," O’Neill said.

"Corry Evans will not be involved either and you will have one or two other injuries you will find out about next week when I name the squad."

Northern Ireland travel to Slovenia on 7 September before heading to Astana to face Kazakhstan three days later. O’Neill is due to name his squad on 29 August.

The Northern Ireland boss is hoping to see the future of another key player, vice-captain Jonny Evans, resolved before then.

Evans signed a short-term deal at his boyhood club Manchester United during pre-season but there has been no announcement regarding a playing contract for the upcoming season amid reports the 35-year-old will be allowed to move on.

"I was delighted to see Jonny, obviously, with the situation at Manchester United," O’Neill said. "I know it is still – on a longer-term basis – not resolved at this moment in time."