O'Neill wants to see Evans continue for 'club and country'

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has said he and Jonny Evans will discuss the Manchester United defender's playing future during next month's international window.

Evans, 36, returned to Old Trafford on a one-year deal this season after eight years split between West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City.

Currently preparing for Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City, Evans was included in O'Neill's Northern Ireland squad on Monday for the June friendlies against Spain and Andorra.

“It’s difficult to say," said O'Neill, when asked if his inclusion indicated Evans would be continuing his playing career next season.

"I will have that conversation with Jonny in Spain. I think it may be determined by what happens at Manchester United.

“But you can’t tell what way these things will go. I think Jonny has done himself no harm this season as he has been an important player for Manchester United in a difficult season, a team that has had a lot of challenges.

“There are a lot of managers out there that would love to have Jonny Evans at their club. You don’t know what opportunities will be presented to players.

“From my point of view, I want to see Jonny continue to play for club and country.”

Evans' younger brother Corry also returns to what is a 26-man squad for games against Euro 2024-bound Spain in Mallorca on 8 June and Andorra in Murcia three days later.

Paddy McNair misses out on the double-header as he is due to get married on the day of the Spain game, while it was decided that both George Saville and Conor Washington would sit out the fixtures having dealt with injuries through the campaign.

Preston's Ali McCann will also not travel thanks to the injury that ended his club season prematurely.

Corry Evans and striker Josh Magennis are to be released by Sunderland and Wigan Athletic respectively, with both on the hunt for a club for next season.

O'Neill gave the experienced pair the opportunity to miss the friendly games but both wanted to play.

"The players have that choice," O'Neill added.

"I had a conversation with Josh who is obviously in the same situation as Corry.

"I said, 'Look, if it's an issue for you, I fully understand that', but both players were very keen to come and be involved and play. It's never easy, that situation.

"It's an uncertain time but they're both at an age and point in their career where they've the experience to deal with it and what this gives them is a bit of an opportunity.

"People can see that they're still involved at international level and hopefully if people pick up the phone to me over the summer and ask me how they are, I'm able to say they're in good shape, they've a lot to offer and they get themselves something which is right for them and gives them the opportunity to continue to play with us."