"Inspirational" injured defender Conor Bradley should still travel with Northern Ireland for March's World Cup play-off, believes former international Stephen Craigan. The Liverpool full-back sustained a "significant" knee injury in Thursday's goalless draw with Arsenal and has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Northern Ireland face Italy in a play-off semi-final on 26 March and, if they can stun the European heavyweights, would face Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina in the final. While the 22-year-old cannot play a role on the pitch, Craigan feels he should still travel to Italy as additional motivation for Michael O'Neill's squad. Craigan acknowledges Liverpool will have a say on whether Bradley travels with the Northern Ireland squad, but he feels it would be a "good move" if all parties could come to an agreement.

Source: BBC January 12, 2026 16:23 UTC