Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has been quoted by BBC Sport as saying that Leeds United midfielder Stuart Dallas will not be fit enough to play in his country’s fixtures in September, against Slovenia and Kazakhstan.
Dallas, 32, remains sidelined after suffering a broken leg back in April 2022. He has failed to play for Leeds since, though he has been spotted here and there, back out on the grass. It is unclear when he will next play for the club.
Daniel Farke did describe him as a player with the “perfect” attitude and is ideal for the dressing room. But he is yet to provide a timescale for Dallas’ return. It is 16 months since Dallas pulled on a Leeds shirt. His deal ends in 2024.
Asked if Dallas would be fit for the games against Slovenia and Kazakhstan, both Euro 2024 qualifying matches, O’Neill responded by stating that he would not be fit enough to play. The same as Rangers midfielder Steven Davis.
“Steven and Stuart will not be involved in the games in September, they are still not at that fitness level,” Northern Ireland boss O’Neill said, when speaking to reporters ahead of next September’s matches – as per by BBC Sport.
O’Neill says Leeds midfielder Dallas not fit enough to play in September
Oh, how Leeds could do with Dallas back in the side. Not only a player that fills gaps in central midfield, on both flanks and both full-back positions. But a player with genuine Premier League quality. Even now, at the age of 32.
It depends whether Dallas is anything like the player that scored a brace against Manchester City in Marcelo Bielsa’s first season in the Premier League. Hopefully, Dallas can return to action before the turn of the year and play again.
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