GRANT McCann admits he couldn’t face missing the birth of his third child after withdrawing from the Northern Ireland squad.
The Peterborough United midfielder was due to meet up with his international teammates on Monday but will now stay with his wife Kelly in England as they await their latest arrival.
McCann – who also missed last month’s draw in Portugal through injury – admits he is “disappointed” to miss tomorrow’s Group F clash with Azerbaijan, but insists his priorities lie with his family.
“It is disappointing to miss another game. I had to pull out of the Portugal game as well,” he said.
“But my wife is due anytime this week and I couldn’t forgive myself if I missed the birth.
“I was in Poland on international duty when our second child Jesse was born three years ago.
“That was a crushing blow back then and I don’t want to experience it again.
“I just feel I would be better staying with my wife and two boys this week as we don’t have any family where we live.
“I had hoped the baby would have been born before now! Michael (O’Neill) gave me an extra day to meet up with the squad, but nothing has happened yet.
“It is one of those things you can’t really plan for. The baby could arrive anytime this week and I want to be there.”
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