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Kyle Lafferty ready for Northern Ireland opener after injury recovery

Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty has said he is fit to play in his country's Euro 2016 opener against Poland in Nice on Sunday.

Lafferty, 28, brushed off any concerns over the groin problem that forced him out of training on Tuesday.

Speaking to the Irish Football Association website, he said: "It's feeling good. I trained by myself yesterday, did a few runs, a few twists and turns, and it feels good.

"When I had the sharpest pain in my groin I thought the worst, as you do, but the longer the day went on, I started feeling better.

"I went for a scan and the results came back clear and it gave me the go-ahead to start training intense again. I have done, and I feel great."

On Tuesday Northern Ireland coach Michael O'Neill had said there were "no major concerns" over Norwich player Lafferty's fitness.

The striker scored seven goals in qualification to fire Northern Ireland to their first major international tournament in 30 years.