'You’re never guaranteed a shirt' - Ethan Galbraith thrilled to be fighting fit for Northern Ireland’s friendlies
Ethan Galbraith has insisted he had no doubt he wanted to join up with Northern Ireland this week despite missing the last month of the Sky Bet Championship season through injury.
Galbraith was forced off with 10 minutes left of Northern Ireland’s 1-1 friendly draw with Wales at the end of the March with a calf issue, and has not played since as he missed Swansea’s final seven games of the season.
Swans boss Vitor Matos said in April that he did not want Galbraith to play international football this summer given the situation, but the 25-year-old was always keen to accept a call-up for friendlies against Guinea and France.
“We had a couple of chats with the manager and the medical teams,” Galbraith said. “It was one of them, it was down to whether I was going to be fit… the chats went well and when it came to the time I was fit again so obviously I’m happy to be able to come into camp…
“There’s nothing better than playing so to be able to come here, for me, obviously when the decision came, I was pushing that if I was fit enough to come, 100 per cent I would be here.”
Michael O’Neill will be delighted that Galbraith is fit given an already lengthy list of absentees for this window, with Conor Bradley, Paddy McNair, Dan Ballard and George Saville among several regular faces missing.
Galbraith has established himself as a key member of O’Neill’s squad over recent campaigns, but only after a long wait.
His appearance in Wales was his 14th for Northern Ireland, seven years after he made his debut, and that is key to the perspective Galbraith has on international football.
“I want to come into every single camp where I’m picked,” he said. “We’ve got a competitive squad now, a lot of talent.
“If you miss one or two camps you could lose your place. In football you always want to be in and around it, you’re never guaranteed a shirt. Obviously being here gives you a better chance.”
Prior to his injury, Galbraith had been one of Swansea’s stand-out performers while also impressing on the international stage.
The former Manchester United youngster’s stock has risen high enough for him to be linked with a move to the Premier League this summer.
“To be fair I try and not think about it,” he said when asked about the speculation. “Obviously it’s nice when you see people saying you’re doing good things, but at the moment I’m obviously a Swansea player and I try and focus on Swansea.”