Healy annoyed with Worthington

December 9, 2008

David Healy has vented his frustration with Northern Ireland manager after the manager criticised the fitness of the players.

Healey has played a bit part this season after moving to Sunderland and finds himself now battling with Kyle Lafferty and Martin Patterson for a starting place.

“Nigel basically blamed the players (after the 2-0 defeat by Hungary) which was disappointing,” he said.

“If the axe is going to come down on me it’s down to Nigel.”

Worthington focused on his team’s fitness for the 2-0 friendly defeat by the Hungarians at Windsor Park last month.

“They need to do more work - it is as simple as that,” he said.

“I cannot do anything, it is down to the players. Some of them are not getting regular games and they have got out of the mindset.

“They have got to go back to their clubs and do extra work because they are not fit enough.”

Healy has acknowledged the fact that his move to Sunderland hasn’t really worked out for him so far but is determined to show his worth and make an impact at the club.

Healy made it clear that e wasn’t happy with Worthington’s comments.

“There were five or six of us who weren’t playing regularly,” he added.

“If Nigel wants to make a point coming into the qualifiers where if club players aren’t in the team and leave me out that comes down to him to make the big decisions at the tight times.

“I have proved in the past that I can come back and play for Northern Ireland.

“People forget that I’d a lot of tough times, a lot of games where I wasn’t 100% fit.”

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