Lee Hodson won’t be involved with Northern Ireland tonight (Saturday) but the right-back will be watching on and hoping his team-mates can earn another valuable three points.
The Green and White Army, who drew with Qatar in a friendly earlier this month, face Romania this evening at Windsor Park in a crucial Euro 2016 qualifier.
Michael O’Neill’s side currently sit one place and one point below the Central Europeans in the Group F table and therefore a victory in Belfast would see them move into first place.
“I’ll be watching the game and supporting the lads,” Hodson told mkdons.com. “Hopefully they can get another important three points.
“If they were to win then it would put us in a great position with four games to go – we’d probably only need another four points so we’re really not that far away from going to France.
“On the last trip that I was on the lads were full of confidence and there was a good vibe around the camp. Everybody is excited because it’s been quite a long time since Northern Ireland has made it to the finals.”
Earlier this season Hodson added a 15th cap to his name in Northern Ireland’s friendly with Scotland at Hampden Park but, due to injury, that proved to be his only international appearance of the 2014/15 campaign.
However, after signing a new two-year deal to stay with the Dons until June 2017, Hodson is now fully focused on getting back fit and working his way into the Northern Ireland squad once again.
“Playing in the Championship and hopefully doing so every week, will give me a good chance of getting back into the Northern Ireland squad,” he added. “With the injuries that I had last season, I’ve not been in favour and it’s been difficult to get back into the squad.
“I’m looking forward to getting back fit during pre-season and then working hard at club level to get back into the Northern Ireland squad for the games in September.”
Stay tuned for an exclusive interview with Lee Hodson about his new contract, the Sky Bet Championship and his remaining offseason plans.
Michael O’Neill’s side currently sit one place and one point below the Central Europeans in the Group F table and therefore a victory in Belfast would see them move into first place.
“I’ll be watching the game and supporting the lads,” Hodson told mkdons.com. “Hopefully they can get another important three points.
“If they were to win then it would put us in a great position with four games to go – we’d probably only need another four points so we’re really not that far away from going to France.
“On the last trip that I was on the lads were full of confidence and there was a good vibe around the camp. Everybody is excited because it’s been quite a long time since Northern Ireland has made it to the finals.”
Earlier this season Hodson added a 15th cap to his name in Northern Ireland’s friendly with Scotland at Hampden Park but, due to injury, that proved to be his only international appearance of the 2014/15 campaign.
However, after signing a new two-year deal to stay with the Dons until June 2017, Hodson is now fully focused on getting back fit and working his way into the Northern Ireland squad once again.
“Playing in the Championship and hopefully doing so every week, will give me a good chance of getting back into the Northern Ireland squad,” he added. “With the injuries that I had last season, I’ve not been in favour and it’s been difficult to get back into the squad.
“I’m looking forward to getting back fit during pre-season and then working hard at club level to get back into the Northern Ireland squad for the games in September.”
Stay tuned for an exclusive interview with Lee Hodson about his new contract, the Sky Bet Championship and his remaining offseason plans.
