The Leeds United boss respects Northern Ireland’s decision to call up the winger, but seems sure he won’t be playing.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk has been discussing the recent international call-up for his left-winger Stuart Dallas in his press conference this afternoon.
Northern Ireland have called up the Leeds star for upcoming games with Azerbaijan and Croatia despite the fact he has been out of action injured over the past few weeks. Dallas has not featured for Leeds since the 2-1 win against Barnsley on the 1st October. He then picked up an injury on the previous international break and Leeds United will not want him risked on this occasion.
Leeds’ Stuart Dallas celebrates at the final whistle
Monk, speaking to TV Yorkshire, highlighted that Dallas would be unlikely to play in the international fixtures but appreciated Northern Ireland’s right to call him up:
“Stuey he’s not back in training. He’s due to start training on Monday that’s when he can start kicking the ball and be ready for training.
Northern Ireland’s Stuart Dallas reacts after missing a chance to score
“Obviously, with the international call-up, which is their prerogative and their right to assess the player, but imagine four weeks of not kicking a football to go play in that game is totally unrealistic.
“That set-up there (at Northern Ireland) they are very good, very professional. Common sense will prevail, he’ll go there and be assessed and what Stuey needs now is a good block of training which he can get in this international break.”
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
Leeds have managed to perform well without Dallas but his presence on the left-wing would be a big boost to the Leeds first-team for Monk.
The Leeds boss seems fairly confident that his nation will decide he is not fit enough for the fixtures and hopefully that will be the case.
If not, a club v country row might just be on the horizon.
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