\n<\/p>\n
Craigan added that losing a player of Bradley’s calibre is a “huge loss” but Northern Ireland can still stun Italy, who are aiming to qualify for a first World Cup since 2014.<\/p>\n
Goalkeeper Pierce Charles is also a doubt due to a shoulder injury sustained at Sheffield Wednesday, and O’Neill will be hoping that no more of his key players get injured ahead of the game. <\/p>\n
“Absolutely we can do it. We will have to reach a performance level we haven’t reached for a long time. <\/p>\n
“The Slovakia game [a 2-0 win in October] was very close, and hopefully we can replicate large parts of that performance.” <\/p>\n
Sunderland’s Trai Hume, the versatile Brodie Spencer, Portsmouth’s Terry Devlin and Swansea City midfielder Ethan Galbraith are all candidates to deputise for Bradley at right back in Bergamo. <\/p>\n
Craigan added that a small silver lining was that the injury happened so far out from the play-offs, so O’Neill has time to rethink his strategy. <\/p>\n
“It’s not happened right before the game so he has a bit of time to think of a strategy or game plan to tactically fill that void that Conor leaves. <\/p>\n
“We do have a bit of cover in that area of the field, but do they bring the same qualities that Conor has? <\/p>\n
“No, unfortunately they don’t, but when you’re a country with a small pool of players, sometimes you have to make things work.<\/p>\n
“If we can get all of our key players fit, apart from Conor unfortunately, then we can go to Italy and cause a huge upset.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n