Paddy McNair injury scare explained ahead of Northern Ireland's Nations League meeting with Austria

Ian Baraclough’s side advanced to the final qualifying play-off match after winning on penalties at the Stadion Grbavica in Bosnia.

McNair was substituted after 80 minutes while his Boro team-mate George Saville played the full match and extra time.

Northern Ireland have since returned to Belfast to face Austria in the Nations League on Sunday (7:45pm kick-off).

They will then face Norway in Oslo on Wednesday in the same competition, before players return to their club sides.

When asked about injuries after the Bosnia match, Baraclough explained McNair’s substitution.

"Now we’re looking forward to Sunday, and then Wednesday. We’ll have to look after players because a lot of energy has been put out there.

“Players have come off cramping up; we thought Paddy had picked up an ankle injury but he said he’d cramped up after 80 minutes.

“The spirit of the lads is fantastic, they’re selfless. They don’t think about themselves, they think just of the team, that’s the group of players we’ve got."

Boro boss Neil Warnock isn’t impressed with the scheduling of international matches, with Boro set to face Reading at the Riverside next Saturday.

The heavy workload and tight travel arrangements may put McNair and Saville’s involvement in doubt against the Royals, who have won all four league games so far this season.

Both McNair and Saville have started every league match for the Teessiders so far this season.

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