Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has included Conor Bradley in his squad for next month’s internationals despite the right-back’s injury.
Bradley made his return to training for the first time in almost three weeks on Thursday as he warmed up with his Liverpool teammates ahead of the trip to Newcastle.
But the 22-year-old then separated from the group to continue working on his fitness with head of physical performance Conall Murtagh.
There is no expectation that Bradley will be involved in Liverpool’s next game, but there was a big indication over his fitness when he was named in the Northern Ireland squad to play Luxembourg (Sept 4) and Germany (Sept 7).
His inclusion in O’Neill’s squad would suggest a confidence that he will be fit to take part – and the manager expressed as much after the announcement.
PRESTON, ENGLAND - Sunday, July 13, 2025: Liverpool's (L-R) Rio Ngumoha, Conor Bradley and Mohamed Salah during the pre-match warm-up before a pre-season friendly match between Preston North End FC and Liverpool FC at Deepdale. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“We just have to be mindful of where Conor’s at physically when we look at him in these two games, but we anticipate that he’ll be ready to play,” O’Neill told reporters including the Belfast Telegraph‘s Steven Beacom.
“And we’ll obviously have the dialogue with Liverpool to get their thoughts on that as well.
“Hopefully Conor can get minutes before we meet up on Sunday week.”
Liverpool only have one more game after their trip to St James’ Park before they break for World Cup qualifiers and friendlies, with that being the visit of Arsenal on August 31.
With Jeremie Frimpong sidelined until after the international break due to a hamstring issue, the likelihood is that Bradley will be back in the squad against Arsenal and either start or come off the bench.
That will give the academy graduate an opportunity to not only build up his fitness but also stake a claim for the long-term starting spot with Frimpong out.
“Conor’s good. You know he’d be frustrated because his pre-season I think was going very well,” O’Neill continued.
“And, like anything, there’s such competition at a club like Liverpool that you don’t want to be injured because you have to try and find your way back into the team.
“But he gets opportunities. There’s so many games with the Premier League season and the start of the Champions League.”
No risks will be taken with Bradley’s fitness, however, and a steady buildup of minutes can be expected both for club and country in the coming weeks.