Jonny Evans turns his attention to West Brom after helping Northern Ireland close in on World Cup play-offs

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Jonny Evans is ready to focus on fighting his way back into the West Brom team after helping Northern Ireland to the verge of a play-off place in the World Cup qualifiers.

Evans scored the opener as Michael O'Neill's side beat the Czech Republic 2-0 to secure a second-placed finish in Group C.

The 29-year-old defender missed the start of West Brom's season through injury and then saw a reported move to Manchester City fail to materialise before the transfer deadline.

Jonny Evans helped Northern Ireland to a 2-0 win over Czech Republic on Monday night 

He heads back to a West Brom side unbeaten in three games and knows he has a fight on is hands to get back into Tony Pulis' side.

'The San Marino game (on Friday) came at a good time,' he told Sky Sports Mix.

'After the injury it wasn't the most physical game. It was a lot more difficult tonight.

'It was good on a personal level to get those games under my belt and these games will stand me in good stead when I go back to West Brom.

'Hopefully I'll be ready to go at the weekend. Whether or not I'll play, the other lads have been fantastic with seven points out of nine, and it will be difficult to get back in the team.'

He scored in the World Cup qualifier to put Northern Ireland one step close to a play-off place 

Evans will have no problems with that on the basis of his performance for Northern Ireland.

He defended brilliantly and even managed his first international goal since 2009, before seeing club team-mate Chris Brunt add a second with a brilliant free-kick.

'I thought I might have been offside,' Evans admitted. 

'I thought I'd head it anyway and see what happens. I saw it go into the net and I don't remember much after that!' 

Evans had been subject to summer speculation linking him with a move away from West Brom