Corry Evans feels his international commitments over the summer have been key to his strong start to the season.

Evans has been Rovers’ star performer in the early weeks of the season and has made the most interceptions and second highest number of tackles in the Championship so far.

He will line up for Northern Ireland this afternoon as they host Bosnia & Herzegovina (2pm) before another home game against Israel on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old enjoyed a strong finish to last season, involved in the final 10 games, and has played all but 12 minutes of this campaign so far.

But he believes playing twice for his country during the off season, in defeats to Panama and Costa Rica, have helped him hit the ground running.

“It probably helped that I kept myself ticking over with Northern Ireland in the summer and getting games for them which kept my fitness levels up,” Evans explained.

“I was able to come back in pre-season ready to go.

“If you look through the squad there’s competition in every position and it pushes me and everyone on in training.

“The manager has said to us that if you’re not playing you have to prove it in training and as you can see now, from before the manager came in, training has definitely gone up a level in terms of intensity and everything that goes with it.

“The lads are staking a claim for a shirt.”

Evans, closing in on 50 caps for his country, didn’t play in the 15 games under Tony Mowbray in Rovers’ relegation campaign of 2016/17 because of a groin injury.

However, he’s been a mainstay of the side since March, with fitness playing a key role, with Evans feeling his ability to get around the pitch has increased.

He added: “I had that niggling injury and I was playing through it for six months in the Championship and then I had to call it a day and rest up to get myself ready and missed the next six months.

“After that length of time it can take a while to get back but towards the end of last season I was starting to feel the rewards of playing games week in week out and in pre-season I kept myself going and feel as good as I can.

“The manager, the way he wants us to play, it probably suits me as well, playing on the front foot and using my legs to get around the pitch.

“I feel as though I’ve repaid him with my performances, particularly towards the back end of the season.”

Michael O’Neill’s side narrowly missed out qualifying for this summer’s World Cup when beaten 1-0 by Switzerland over a two-legged play-off.

Evans gave away the controversial penalty which settled the tie, and also earned him a second yellow card which ruled him out of the return fixture.

They kick off their Euro Nations League campaign today, with thoughts already turning to the 2020 European Championships.

“It’s only natural, but that has passed and you have to look forward to the next chance to get to a major finals,” Evans said.

“We’ve all had that experience of the European Championships in 2016 and we want more of that as a team.

“I think we just have to move forward now.

“Personally, I have and I look forward to the upcoming games and trying to qualify for the European Championships is our next aim.”