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Leeds United star Stuart Dallas started and was involved in both of Northern Ireland’s goals in their 2-1 win against Belarus on Sunday night, as his impressive form during the international break continued.
On the chalkboard
The 27-year-old was named in the XI at right-back for the latest victory and the one against Estonia just a few days earlier, as they got their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign off to a perfect start.
Even though the versatile player has largely had to settle for making an impact from the substitutes’ bench in recent weeks with Luke Ayling, Pablo Hernandez and Jack Harrison nailing down the right-back, right wing and left wing positions respectively, he showed the quality he does have at the weekend in the final third.
Firstly, it was his corner that was flicked on by Steven Davis for Jonny Evans to score the opener against Belarus, before he was involved in the neat interplay that led to Josh Magennis netting the decisive goal in the second half.
Not enough to earn a club start
Marcelo Bielsa will need to reshuffle things slightly with Pontus Jansson set to miss out against Millwall on Saturday through injury, but it seems unlikely that Dallas will get the nod – even if he has impressed for Northern Ireland.
The Argentine manager is someone that is often set in his ways and one that backs his players even when the going gets tough, and the 27-year-old won’t start ahead of Ayling right now – his most likely route into the XI.
As is the case currently, Dallas may have to settle for making an impact off of the bench if needed, with three points desperately needed against the Lions following the defeat against Sheffield United last time out.