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Transfer talk won't harm Jonny Evans, says Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill

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Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill does not believe Jonny Evans' form will be affected amid interest from Manchester City

Jonny Evans will not be affected by speculation over a potential move to Manchester City, Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill has told Sky Sports News.

Evans, who has missed West Brom's unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a hamstring injury, was named in O'Neill's squad on Wednesday for their upcoming World Cup Qualifiers.

The Baggies centre-half and skipper has been the subject of a failed £18m bid from City with manager Tony Pulis desperate to keep hold of him.

O'Neill does not expect Evans to miss the game in San Marino on September 1 regardless of who he is playing for when the transfer deadline closes.

"I know Jonny's level of professionalism will mean he won't be distracted by the whole thing," O'Neill told Sky Sports News.

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"Ideally if it's suitable for all parties and it can be agreed the sooner it can be done the better in terms of our preparation. Sometimes these things take time. They can go right to the last minute.

"But he's played at the biggest club in the world since he was 18 or 19 and won the Premier League on three occasions [with Manchester United] so he's vast experience of what is needed to play at a big club."

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Evans will be part of the NI squad that meets for a training camp at Manchester City next week with O'Neill's players flying to San Marino the day before Deadline Day.

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Pep Guardiola says 'nothing has changed' over Man City's pursuit of Evans

"He's had a lot of consistency at West Brom after a couple of seasons of niggly injuries. He's very versatile," O'Neill added.

"He's comfortable playing in a three, can play either right or left. He's very mobile and on occasions we've asked him to play left back.

"He gave a fantastic performance for us against Ukraine at Euro 2016. Whatever the job asked of him he's capable of doing it. He's a very good communicator and has great leadership qualities. He also has great in-game intelligence.

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"I'm fully aware he hasn't played in the first two games of the season but having been in conversation with him he assures me he'll be fit (for San Marino and Czech Republic games) and we'll obviously have to see how things work out this weekend for his club."

Sky Sports News understands that City's initial offer was £18m for a player who began his career with their rivals Manchester United.

City boss Pep Guardiola has switched attention to the 29-year-old having realised Southampton will stick true to their word and refuse to sell Virgil van Dijk in the current window.

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Tony Pulis insists West Brom are under no pressure to sell Evans

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