Michael O'Neill wants Kyle Lafferty playing more regularly

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill hopes Kyle Lafferty secures a loan move away from Norwich to get more playing time.

Lafferty was one of the stars of his country's qualification for Euro 2016, scoring seven goals in nine games as they secured a major tournament place for the first time in 30 years.

But his club career has stalled since he moved to Carrow Road, with the 28-year-old having only appeared in one Premier League and one Capital One Cup game this season, both times coming off the bench.

O'Neill said he noticed a lack of sharpness in Lafferty's game, although he was also affected by a stomach illness, in their 1-0 win over Latvia on Friday when he managed 54 minutes before being taken off.

And he hopes interest from Leeds United in taking Lafferty on loan will come to fruition and give the striker more chance to prepare for next summer's tournament in France.

Asked if he had discussed Leeds with the striker, O'Neill said: "I've had absolutely no involvement in that at all, but the most important thing for me is that Kyle gets playing.

"It's a hard situation. It's November now and he hasn't started a game for his club. That's not an easy situation to deal with.

"I thought he did extremely well given the circumstances. But there's no secret and he knows it himself, to be at his best he needs to be playing.

"That applies to any player and I know that personally. There were times I played internationally when I wasn't playing for my club and it's a very difficult situation for a player to find themselves in."