Sunday 12 June 2016 17:03, UK
Michael O'Neill has no doubts over the fitness of Kyle Lafferty ahead of Northern Ireland's Euro 2016 opener against Poland.
Lafferty was thought to be in a race against time to be fit for Northern Ireland's first group game on Tuesday after suffering a groin injury earlier in the week.
However, the 28-year-old declared himself fit after returning to training on Friday and O'Neill has echoed his striker's assessment of his fitness status.
"We have no doubts whatsoever about Kyle's fitness," said O'Neill.
"In terms of where we are as a squad I don't think we could be in a better shape in terms of the injury situation and the preparation of the team, where they are going into this game."
And ahead of their first ever appearance at a European Championship, O'Neill is adamant the 23 men he has chosen are in perfect shape following training camps in Manchester, Dublin, Belfast, Austria, Slovakia and Lyon.
"The players are very well prepared," O'Neill insisted.
"I don't think there's a need for a final message, I think they understand the significance of the game. The preparation we've done has been flawless, basically.
"I don't think I've ever felt that a team has been as well prepared in the four years I've been in charge in terms of what we've managed to do with the squad, the work we've done week after week, how the players have taken that on board."
Northern Ireland kick off their first major tournament in 30 years against Poland in Nice and will face fellow Group C opponents Ukraine and Poland on June 16 and 21 respectively.
