Kyle Lafferty injury: Northern Ireland striker limps out of training – but boss Michael O’Neill says he will be ‘fine’ for Euro 2016
Norwich City frontman Lafferty was Northern Ireland's top scorer during Euro 2016 qualifying with seven goals
NORTHERN IRELAND star striker Kyle Lafferty will be “fine” for the start of Euro 2016 – despite limping out of training today with a groin injury, according to manager Michael O’Neill.
There was an almighty scare during the open training session at Northern Ireland’s base of Saint-Georges-de-Reneins near Lyon, when Lafferty went down in some discomfort before hobbling back to changing room with the assistance of the medical staff, clutching his left groin.
O’Neill, however, is no doubt that his talisman will be fit to lead the line for Northern Ireland in their opening Euro 2016 game against Poland in the Group C clash at the Allianz Riviera in Nice on Saturday evening.
O’Neill said he has “no major concerns” over Lafferty’s fitness: “It is fine. He left training as a precautionary, we have no major concerns there.
“It was a little twist of his groin, the pitch was hard.”
The Norwich City forward was Northern Ireland’s top scorer during the qualifying stages, with seven goals.
Lafferty, 28, writhed on the floor in agony after a sliding tackle during the opening training session, before he was treated by the Northern Ireland medical staff.
The striker then limped off to the changing room looking in some pain. O’Neill, though, quickly allayed fears that the 50-cap ace Lafferty would miss the start of the tournament.
But today’s open training didn’t just throw up problems at the front for O’Neill – Watford defender Craig Cathcart did not train with the main group of players.
Cathcart took a knee to the back during Northern Ireland’s goalless draw with Slovakia last Saturday in their final friendly before their Euro 2016 campaign begins.
