Concerns raised about Blackburn boss O'Neill's dual role

At least one Championship club has raised concerns over a potential conflict of interest involving Northern Ireland and Blackburn Rovers manager Michael O'Neill.

BBC Radio Oxford understands Oxford United are one of those uncomfortable with a situation whereby four of their players could be called on for an international friendly by the manager of another side fighting for Championship survival.

Northern Ireland face Wales on Tuesday with Oxford's Jamie Donley, Ciaron Brown, Brodie Spencer and Jamie McDonnell all part of the squad.

Blackburn, 19th in the Championship, are four points above the 23rd-placed U's in the table.

Portsmouth defender Terry Devlin and West Brom midfielder Isaac Price are also in the Northern Ireland squad.

Pompey are one point above the drop zone, while the Baggies are four points clear of the bottom three.

Uncapped Blackburn defender Tom Atcheson is the sole Rovers player picked by O'Neill.

The EFL confirmed they had been contacted by "one or more clubs" regarding the matter but it was not an issue that would be dealt with by them.

They added international call-up and release policy was governed by FIFA and the relevant national association and team and squad selection decisions were made independently by each national association manager.

They said they would expect all selection decisions to be taken with integrity and in a way that does not bring the game into disrepute.

Northern Ireland's match in Cardiff comes less than 72 hours before Oxford host Hull City on Friday when, under normal circumstances, on-loan Spurs forward Donley and defender Brown would be certain starters.

Spencer has made 26 appearances for Oxford this season, and McDonnell has played 10 times since joining from Nottingham Forest in January.

Northern Ireland missed out on World Cup qualification after they were beaten 2-0 by Italy in Bergamo in the play-off semi-finals last Thursday.

Donley, who started in that game, scored the winner when Oxford beat Blackburn 1-0 at the Kassam Stadium earlier this month.

"I think 80% of my squad play in the EFL so I am aware of that situation," O'Neill said.

"We're mindful of the situation for the clubs, of course, but when the clubs signed these players they knew they were international players.

"We're not going to be reckless with the players or anything like that. But we have to look after ourselves as a group of players, so the most important thing is that the players just go out and play the game.

"They will be fine. The lads who play in the EFL they play a lot of football and they are used to playing regular football. They have a lot of resilience so I'm sure they'll get through the game fine."

O'Neill has been in charge at Ewood Park since February, when he replaced Valerien Ismael.

The 56-year-old had a similar agreement - combining duties with club and country - with Stoke City when his first spell as Northern Ireland manager came to a close in 2020.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the Euro 2020 play-offs and O'Neill left his role before those games took place.

After being sacked by the Potters in August 2022, he returned to Northern Ireland, signing a contract that runs until after the Euro 2028 campaign.