Lafferty eager for Carrow Road exit

Northern Ireland international Kyle Lafferty admits he is desperate to move away from Norwich City in a bid to boost his Euro 2016 hopes.

Lafferty has not featured in a Premier League game for Alex Neil’s Canaries for five months and is fully aware he needs game time as Northern Ireland get ready for their first major tournament in 34 years.

The window for a loan move away from Carrow Road closes next week and Lafferty is weighing up his options.

The 28-year-old has been linked with a short-term move to Championship side Leeds United recently, while Lafferty would jump at the chance to head back to a couple of his former stomping grounds.

“I’m doing all I can to make sure that I’m in the best possible shape for Euro 2016,” he said.

“I want to play. Rangers and Palermo, my old clubs, are two teams I would definitely go back to if the opportunity arose.”

The former Burnley striker was a vital cog in the Northern Ireland wheel as they topped their qualifying group for Euro 2016 with just one defeat in 10 games.

Lafferty netted seven times for Michael O’Neill’s team during their successful campaign.

The Northern Ireland boss would be a relieved man should his leading striker secure an avenue to first-team football in the months between now and Euro 2016.

Northern Ireland have been drawn to face world champions Germany, Poland and Ukraine in France this summer.

They begin their campaign against the Poles in Nice on June 12.
Northern Ireland are 3.00 to qualify from Group C at Euro 2016.