Source: Team_Talk
O'Neill laments Nathan's absence
O'Neill has high hopes of Delfouneso, who scored three times in his opening four first team appearances last season, including a goal against Hamburg in the UEFA Cup.
The former Celtic manager was hopeful that Delfouneso would be able to challenge John Carew, Emile Heskey and Gabriel Agbonlahor for a first-team spot this season.
But Delfouneso is still away on European Championship duty for his country and netted twice in the 7-1 win over Slovenia which clinched a place in the semi-finals.
O'Neill said: "Nathan has been with the Under-19s which is great in one sense but I am particularly disappointed because it is our pre-season.
"It would be important for him to be with us now. I have joked before that they keep inventing these tournaments.
"I see the benefit of Nathan taking his place in our team for the recent warm-up games. It would have been fantastic for him.
"I know that would give him the incentive where he would be thinking 'I'm vying with Agbonlahor, Heskey and Carew for a first-team place'.
"He's beginning to leave his mark here now and I just wish he was with us at this important stage."
O'Neill is hoping that Heskey will have recovered from a head injury suffered against Malaga in time to face Atlante in Wednesday's Peace Cup match in Spain.
Heskey said: "I feel a lot better. It was a nasty clash of heads and I can't remember anything afterwards.
"I can remember kicking off the game but after that nothing until waking up on the treatment table.
"Whether I will be fit for Wednesday I don't know. My head still hurts. It's the first time something like this has happened to me.
"I don't know when I'll get the all-clear from the medical staff."
