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Chris Brunt relieved to be back in the fold with Northern Ireland

Chris Brunt relieved to be back in Michael O'Neill's Northern Ireland plans 
Chris Brunt relieved to be back in Michael O'Neill's Northern Ireland plans  Chris Brunt relieved to be back in Michael O'Neill's Northern Ireland plans 

CHRIS Brunt admits that had he played at Euro 2016, he might have ended his international career there on a high note.

The West Brom midfielder missed out on the tournament after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee playing for his club in March but has returned to the squad ahead of Friday’s crucial World Cup 2018 qualifier with Azerbaijan at Windsor Park.

The 31-year-old says he’s just delighted to be back playing after the length of time he spent on the treatment table.

“It’s nice to be back playing generally; it’s been a long few months,” Brunt said.

“I haven’t missed a great deal of football because it has been over the summer, I think I only missed about 15 games so it’s probably not as bad as it seemed but it is still a long time to be out.

“It’s the longest time I’ve ever been out certainly but it gave me time to work on other things I’d maybe neglected before but it’s nice to be back playing.

“I suppose I did have some sort of decision to make [regarding his international future]. Had I played at the tournament then maybe it would have been easier,” he admitted.

“At this moment in time it definitely suits me to be playing more games with Northern Ireland but I really do have to take it one game at a time. On the international front I have to take it game by game because I don’t know how this week is going to affect me going back in to West Brom next week.

“Hopefully if I’m involved on Friday night it will be great to play at the new stadium because that is something I haven’t experienced yet.”

WATCH | Chris Brunt talks about the side's ambitions ahead of their crucial World Cup Qualifier against Azerbaijan! ?? #DareToDream #GAWA pic.twitter.com/ujy0pQRMlF — Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) November 9, 2016

Brunt revealed that manager Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill had been in constant contact with him during his time out of action.

“Michael and the medical staff were great,” he said.

“He didn’t put me under any pressure to come back and play but at the age I am it’s only natural people will ask questions.

“But for me, I knew I had to come back to try to play at the very least. It’s great to be involved in these two games but I can’t afford to look too far forward.”

As one of the few Premiership players in the Northern Ireland squad, Brunt is surprised more clubs didn’t look at O’Neill for a high-profile job in England after the recent resurgence of the side.

“Honestly, I didn’t think Michael would be the manager after the Euros. I’m really surprised he wasn’t linked with more jobs the way other managers were or didn’t receive a few offers,” Brunt feels.

“He’s done a great job with us.

“Michael has had experiences in Scotland, the League of Ireland and international level but hasn’t been in England.

“The rate of turnover of managers in ridiculous though. You need someone to give you a chance and then you need to hit the ground running. It wouldn’t be something I would fancy. Michael has all the attributes and I’m sure if the right job came up he’d be the right man for it.

“Maybe if he had managed a bigger country or been from another country someone would have come looking him but we’ll always be seen as a small country punching above their weight.

“Hopefully at some stage he will get the opportunity to do that in the future and I don’t think it is something anyone would deny him.”