Conor Bradley injury latest as Liverpool defender hands manager 'hammer blow'

Conor Bradley is likely to miss the rest of the season for Liverpool, with Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill providing the latest update on his return from a serious issue

Liverpool defender Conor Bradley.(Image: Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images)

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill is hoping that his captain, Liverpool defender Conor Bradley, can link up with the squad during the March international break — though he won't have returned from injury at that point.

Bradley sustained a severe knee injury in Liverpool's goalless draw at Arsenal earlier in the month — with Gabriel Martinelli causing a melee by essentially accusing Bradley of time-wasting while he was on the ground — and he could miss the remainder of the campaign as a result.

However, O'Neill says there could be a benefit to having Bradley with the group as the rest of the Northern Ireland players look to get the job done without him.

"It's a hammer blow for us that he's out, but we have to deal with it," O'Neill told the Belfast Telegraph.

"I suppose, in a way, the only thing that we can take from it is that it happened when it happened and it didn't happen the Saturday before we're due to play or something like that, so we've got time to think about how we deal with that.

"Most of all, I feel for Conor, who is such an important part of our squad, not just on the pitch but off the pitch.

Liverpool defender Conor Bradley is on the road to recovery after a successful surgery(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

"Obviously if Liverpool give us the OK in terms of his recovery, he'd be with us in Italy. I've been in contact with him just to make sure that everything around him is right because it's difficult for a young player.

"He's been unlucky at Liverpool with various muscle injuries and now this is going to keep him out for a period of time.

"Conor knows he's got all the love and support from the Northern Ireland team, staff and fans. You can tell there's a feeling of sympathy for him. He's just one of those lads that everyone wants to do well."

Northern Ireland will play Italy in Bergamo during the World Cup play-offs. O'Neill said it wouldn't be right for him to speculate on whether Bradley might be back in time to go to the US, Canada and Mexico should his country make it.

Liverpool hasn't placed any pressure or specific date on a timeline for recovery, though Bradley has undergone surgery and has begun the long road to making his way back.

"Our training camp (for the Italian match) will be in Liverpool, so he'll be available to come in if and when it suits him and if and when Liverpool permit him and if it's the right thing," O'Neill said.

"We'll have dialogue with the club to look at the situation to bring him with us if that is first of all what he wants to do and obviously if Liverpool give us permission to do that."