“They should use that as motivation”: Ian Evatt challenges Blackpool duo to impress Northern Ireland manager
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Blackpool duo were left out of the Norther Ireland squad for their latest UEFA Nations League matches.
Ian Evatt hopes Blackpool can benefit from any disappointment Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Dion Charles might have at being omitted from Northern Ireland’s squad.
The duo were dropped to the standby list for the UEFA Nations League matches with Ukraine on Saturday and Hungary next Tuesday.
Explaining his decision, Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill said he didn’t want to bring in more senior players and not give them the opportunity to play.
Evatt believes that will be added motivation for Peacock-Farrell and Charles, two of the four Northern Ireland internationals at Bloomfield Road alongside Dale Taylor and Luke Southwood.
“I don’t think it’s ideal to be on standby lists,” Blackpool’s boss said ahead of their League One match at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.
“The players that we’ve had involved, Northern Ireland in particular, have had a heavy involvement in recent years, so I don’t think they’ll be over the moon with just being put on a standby list.
“That’s football and it gives them something to prove. Bailey’s been in outstanding form so far this season, hopefully that can continue.
“You’ve got Dale chomping at the bit to get back in that squad, Dion will want to be scoring goals to get back in the squad.
“We will see what happens but certainly they should use that as motivation to make sure they’re doing everything they can to be in the main squad come the next window.”
The Seasiders’ only international call-up was Karoy Anderson, who is with the Jamaica squad preparing for their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final with Mexico.
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The first leg in Kingston takes place at 1am UK time on Sunday with the return game in Guadalupe, Monterrey, at 2.30am on Wednesday.
Evatt added: “Karoy’s one of our main players and has been a big player since he’s come to the club.
“Missing him is not ideal but he’s got a two-legged play-off, which is a brilliant opportunity for him to play at that level of football and to learn as he’s still a very young player.
“We don’t begrudge him that, we wish him well. Hopefully he comes back in one piece, he might come back tired!
“He’ll certainly come back a more rounded individual. Those experiences will certainly stand him - and us - in good stead for the future.”