West Brom boss hits out at international side's use of star man
Tony Mowbray has hit out at Northern Ireland's use of Isaac Price after the Albion star was rested in the defeat at Norwich.
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Price, 21, remained an unused substitute at Carrow Road as the visitors went down to a last-gasp defeat to Josh Sargent's winner for the Canaries.
The in-form January recruit from Standard Liege played both of Northern Ireland's friendlies in full during the recent international break - scoring in both a 1-1 draw and 5-1 defeat - despite Albion's claim he reported calf discomfort after the first game against Switzerland.
Price was then used for the entirety as Michael O'Neill's side were routed by Sweden. Mowbray named him in his squad at Norwich but did not call on the versatile star as the head coach did not want to risk a longer-term setback with seven Championship games left.
"Isaac wanted to play but I want him to play the next seven games - not play this one and not play the next seven games," Mowbray said.
"He had a calf issue, he played 90 minutes in a game they got pumped 5-1. The kid came back and said he feels OK, he felt his calf pretty badly after the first game for his country but was asked to play and played 90 minutes.
"So I'm protecting him and protecting the club, I'd rather he played the next seven games."
Price has been in fine form since his switch to the Black Country and was a big miss for his side in the dramatic Norwich reverse.
Mowbray claimed the defeat was "cruel" on his side, who were the better side but punished for not taking early chances.
Mowbray added of Price: "He played two 90 minutes, the second after making the club aware of a calf strain, a really tight calf, but he got through the second 90 even though they were five down.
"My own view is that if he's got a calf issue ... he got through the game, but it's not worth the risk. We'll calm it down and get treatment on it and hopefully he plays the next seven games."
Albion stayed sixth and were unable to take advantage of rivals dropping points, but Mowbray said: "I thought the team played extremely well, as good as in my time here with the control we had.
"We have to score, have to put it in the net. Norwich are a good team with special individuals who we generally kept pretty quiet. Their keeper made more saves than ours. Lots to be pleased with but all that matters is the result at the end of the day. We definitely didn't get what we deserved."
