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Corry Evans hoping for Northern Ireland return after injury woes

Northern Ireland's Corry Evans during the press conference at Saint-Georges-de-Reneins. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday June 19, 2016. See PA
Image: Corry Evans has struggled with a groin problem since playing Newcastle on January 2

Northern Ireland international Corry Evans is hoping his injury woes are behind him as he targets a return to Michael O'Neill's squad before September's crucial World Cup qualifiers.

The 26-year old, who was forced to miss the second half of last season at relegated Blackburn Rovers, has endured a persistent groin problem which has seen him make just two appearances in this World Cup qualification campaign.

Evans' last competitive game came against Newcastle on January 2 in the Sky Bet Championship, but the midfielder is confident he's on the right track to full fitness following a pre-season appearance against York City on Tuesday night.

"The last six months have been really frustrating for myself," said Evans.

"I missed the second half of the season. You're going to games and you want to be involved and you can't do anything. It's hard to describe the frustration I had last season.

"I'm feeling good now and I'm just concentrating on staying fit and getting as many minutes as I can pre-season and building myself up for the first game. That's the main aim at the minute."

Blackburn's Corry Evans is out for the rest of the season
Image: The midfielder was forced to miss the second half of last season for Blackburn

Northern Ireland currently sit second in Group C of World Cup qualifying and manager O'Neill will be looking to tie down the position when they meet San Marino and Czech Republic in September.

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Evans played a vital role in Northern Ireland's Euro 2016 campaign last year though has stopped short of targeting an immediate recall to the squad.

"It's something that I'm not really looking as far as. I'm just concentrating on getting through pre-season and getting out of pre-season into the games fully fit," Evans added.

"If I'm feeling good I'll start to look ahead towards the qualifiers because obviously it's a massive two games for us and we could potentially clinch a play-off spot if everything goes our way. It's going to be massive for us but I'm just concentrating on staying fit at the moment."

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