Stuart Dallas has bounced back from an injury scare to be named in the Northern Ireland team for their World Cup qualifier play-off clash against Switzerland on Sunday evening.
Dallas’ club team Leeds United were sweating after he limped off during their first-leg qualifying defeat on Thursday night following a tackle from after Swiss centre back Fabian Schar that manager Michael O’Neill said deserved a red card.
But the winger was named in the starting XI for the clash in Basel as he prepares to make his 27th international appearance.
???? | Good luck to @dallas_stuart who is named in the @NorthernIreland Starting XI for tonight’s World Cup Play-Off against Switzerland #GAWA https://t.co/l0o8s2Fvff
— Leeds United (@LUFC) November 12, 2017
Barring any mishap in Switzerland, attacker Dallas should now be fit for the team’s Championship clash against Middlesbrough on Sunday of next week.
OPINION
Dallas has not had the game time he would have liked this season, but is a crucial member of the squad and has been hailed as the ideal team man by manager Thomas Christiansen. The 26-year-old has made just two league starts this season but he has been involved in 12 of the team’s 16 Championship fixtures and is usually the first replacement the manager turns to. Versatile, committed and with an eye for goal, the northern Irishman could force his way into the starting XI against Boro next Sunday if he produces the goods for his country on Sunday night.