Northern Ireland's Conor Bradley is back in the squad
Northern Ireland's Conor Bradley is back in the squad
Liverpool defender Conor Bradley is one of several high-profile inclusions in the Northern Ireland squad ahead of their World Cup qualifying campaign getting under way next month.
The Reds right-back is yet to feature for Liverpool this season due to a hamstring injury but has since returned to training ahead of this weekend’s meeting with Newcastle United.
But the 22-year-old has been named in the squad to face Luxembourg and Germany in their first two qualifiers on September 4 and 7 respectively, as has Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles.
The shot-stopper was a significant doubt for the squad having hurt his shoulder against Stoke City on Saturday but Michael O’Neill has still opted to name his first-choice goalkeeper in his panel.
There is also a recall for Bailey Peacock-Farrell, who joined Blackpool on loan over the summer, as Plymouth Argyle stopper Conor Hazard misses out due to an injury he picked up in their friendly defeat to Denmark in June.
San Diego defender Paddy McNair and Bolton Wanderers star Eoin Toal are both brought back in having missed the summer’s friendly double-header, while Stevenage striker Jamie Reid is also recalled.
Chesterfield striker Lee Bonis and Dundee defender Aaron Donnelly are two to miss out this time despite being available, while Preston North End midfielder Jordan Thompson was not considered after undergoing ankle surgery.
Northern Ireland begins its qualification campaign for a place in the USA and Canada in Luxembourg on September 4 before travelling to Koln to take on the Germans three days later on September 7.
Northern Ireland squad to face Luxembourg and Germany
Goalkeepers: Pierce Charles (Sheffield Wednesday), Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Blackpool), Luke Southwood (Bristol Rovers).
Defenders: Trai Hume, Daniel Ballard (both Sunderland), Brodie Spencer (Oxford United), Conor Bradley (Liverpool), Ruairi McConville (Norwich City), Paddy McNair (San Diego), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth).
Midfielders: George Saville (Luton Town), Shea Charles (Southampton), Alistair McCann (Preston North End), Ethan Galbraith (Swansea City), Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock), Justin Devenny (Crystal Palace), Caolan Boyd-Munce (Wycombe Wanderers), Isaac Price (West Bromwich Albion), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers), Callum Marshall (West Ham United), Jamie Donley (Stoke City).
Forwards: Dion Charles (Huddersfield Town), Jamie Reid (Stevenage), Dale Taylor (Blackpool), Ronan Hale (Ross County).