Northern Ireland's Trai Hume Ruled Out of Sweden Friendly Due to Hip Injury

Northern Ireland's Injury Woes for Sweden Clash

Defender Trai Hume has been ruled out of Northern Ireland's upcoming friendly against Sweden in Stockholm on Tuesday due to a lingering hip injury. The 23-year-old Sunderland full-back, who earned his 20th cap in the 1-1 draw against Switzerland last Friday, has been struggling with discomfort in recent weeks.

Injury Concerns for Hume and Galbraith

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill revealed that Hume had been managing the issue while playing through matches without full training sessions.

"He'd not really been training with Sunderland, just playing games and getting through games," said O’Neill. "He felt quite sore after the game on Friday, and we decided it was best to send him back to the club for further assessment rather than risk aggravating the injury."

This decision ensures Hume remains fit for Sunderland, who are currently fourth in the Championship and 11 points behind leaders Leeds United. O’Neill expressed concern over the situation, hoping the issue does not persist long-term:

"It's not something we or Sunderland want to drag on. They have crucial games ahead, and we don’t want to risk his availability for our June friendlies against Denmark and Iceland."

Meanwhile, midfielder Ethan Galbraith (Leyton Orient) is also doubtful after skipping Monday’s training session as a precautionary measure.

Shea Charles to Captain Again

With Hume sidelined, Sheffield Wednesday's Shea Charles will lead the team for the third time, having previously captained Northern Ireland in the Nations League matches against Belarus and Luxembourg last November.

Looking Ahead

Northern Ireland’s upcoming friendlies in June will see them face Denmark and Iceland, providing further preparation for future competitive fixtures. The team remains cautious with injuries, ensuring key players are fit for both club and international duty.