Conor Bradley is “making progress” in his recovery after serious knee injury, but Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill says the specifics are “confidential.”
It has now been four-and-a-half months since Bradley suffered serious damage to his knee in Liverpool’s 0-0 draw away to Arsenal.
Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli shoved the writhing right-back off the pitch in shocking scenes after he went to ground, which prompted concerns the issue had been made worse.
Bradley underwent surgery and more recently has been seen back working in the gym at the AXA Training Centre, including load-bearing exercises.
Asked for an update on his absent star ahead of Northern Ireland’s friendlies against Guinea and France, O’Neill told reporters the situation was “confidential between the club and the player.”
Conor Bradley has belief that Northern Ireland can qualify for the next World Cup (Liam McBurney/PA)
“Obviously, we have interaction with Conor quite regularly,” he said per BBC Sport.
“He sent me a text on my new contract, congratulating me. I spoke to him last week.
“He’s doing well, you know, he’s making progress, but like it’s not for me to put any type of timeline on that progress at this minute in time.
“We just want him back, fit and healthy, of course we do, as do Liverpool, but it’s important that how that injury is handled.”
The hope and expectation has been that Bradley will be fit for the start of pre-season, but there has been less confidence around the matter than with other long-term absentees Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni.
O’Neill’s comments suggest the process is still ongoing but clearly the Northern Ireland manager is not an authority on the 22-year-old’s knee.
There is still over a month until Liverpool report back to the AXA for the start of pre-season, with Bradley able to continue his focus on recovering as he steps up his rehab work.
Northern Ireland still have one Liverpool player in their squad for the upcoming games, with youngster Kieran Morrison called up for the second time.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 1, 2026: Liverpool's captain Kieran Morrison celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Premier League 2 match between Liverpool FC Under-21's and Tottenham Hotspur FC Under-21's at the Liverpool Academy. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
With only 23 players available, there is a strong chance Morrison will be given his senior international debut in one of the two friendlies – though O’Neill is wary of how much to use the youngsters he has brought in.
“It’s difficult to say they’re ready to be senior international players. We have to be mindful of that.
“They’ve had limited minutes at first-team level, but they’re in our pathway and we have to protect that and we have to show them the route to playing for ourselves and being a senior international, and that they’re highly regarded within our pathway as well.”
He added: “For me, the emphasis has to be on using some of the squad in terms of development.”