World Cup

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World Cup Qualifying - Europe | Playoffs

Nov 12, 2017 at 5pm UK

Switzerland Switzerland
0-0
N. Ireland Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland's Stuart Dallas a fitness doubt for second leg

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter

Published: November 11 2017 | 14:27

Last updated: November 14 2017 | 12:41

Stuart Dallas is a major doubt for Northern Ireland's meeting with Switzerland at St Jakob-Park after travelling to Basel on crutches due to a heavily bruised foot.

Northern Ireland are expected to be without Leeds United winger Stuart Dallas for the second leg of their World Cup qualifying playoff against Switzerland on Sunday evening.

The 26-year-old travelled to Basel on crutches after being caught by a lunging Fabian Schar tackle during the first leg, which ended in a 1-0 defeat for Michael O'Neill's men.

Sky Sports News claims that Dallas has a heavily bruised foot as a result of the challenge, making him a major doubt for the clash at St Jakob-Park.

Millwall midfielder George Saville is in contention to replace the suspended Corry Evans for his debut, meanwhile, with the Blackburn Rovers man being shown a contentious yellow card on Thursday evening to rule him out of the trip.

No side has ever qualified for the World Cup via the playoffs after losing the first leg on home soil.