Kyle Lafferty and Craig Cathcart both took part in Northern Ireland’s first training session in France on Monday as they recovered from the bruising friendly against Slovakia.
Michael O’Neill, the Northern Ireland manager, withdrew his leading striker and the central defender during the goalless draw in Trnava on Saturday as a precaution against further injury.
Lafferty reported a tight calf, and also showed the referee the stud marks on his chest following a challenge by the Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel, while Cathcart was substituted after taking a knee in the back.
The pair were involved in Northern Ireland’s first session at Parc Montchervet, however, the small town 40 kilometres north of Lyon where O’Neill’s squad are based for the first European Championship in the country’s history.
Lafferty and Cathcart took part in light training before going on exercise bikes for the remainder of the warmup that was open to the media. Northern Ireland play their first game at a major tournament in 30 years when they face Poland in Nice on Sunday.
