ETIHAD TO GO

City departure helped set Shea on his way

- DAVID ANDERSON

SHEA leaving CHARLES his claims beloved Manchester City has been the making of him as he prepares to captain Northern Ireland for the first time.

Charles, 21, will lead his country out tonight against Belarus at Windsor Park in the Nations League and his career has developed rapidly since he left City to join Southampton for £15m 16 months ago.

He had been at his boyhood club for 12 years and says he had to leave the Etihad to play first-team football.

Charles helped Southampton win promotion last season before dropping back down to the Championship to join Sheffield Wednesday on loan, again to boost his firstteam chances.