Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has pulled out of Northern Ireland's squad.

Evans will miss the Euro 2012 qualifiers as he bids to fully shrug off the ankle injury that kept him out of the games against Stoke City and Basel. Although returning against Norwich City, it was felt he was not ready for international combat.

"Jonny's not here and won't be here," manager Nigel Worthington told BBC Sport. "He's had this ongoing ankle problem and came off in the warm-up the other week.

"He did play at the weekend but the feeling at his club is he does need rest and recuperation.

"So we accept that and move on."