Nations League: Bonis and Balmer drafted into Northern Ireland squad

Lee Bonis and Kofi Balmer have been called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the upcoming Nations League matches againt Belarus and Bulgaria.

Former Larne striker has enjoyed a successful start for his career with Dutch Second Division side ADO Den Haag. He hit a hat-trick for his new club in last weeken's 5-1 won over Oss.

Balmer, who played for both Larne and Ballymena United in the Irish Premiership, is currently at Scottish side Motherwell.

While Bonis has yet to win his first Senior international cap, the 25-year-old was called up by O'Neill last year for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Denmarl and Kazakhstan.

Northern Ireland have been hit with injury problems in the build-up to this week's matches.

With goalkeeper Conor Hazard already out, first-choice stopper Bailey Peacock-Farrell withdrew througih injury ,as did Sunderland centre-back Daniel Ballard.

Mansfield Town goalkeeper Christy Pym has been called up to the squad for the first time, with Luke Southwood and Pierce Charles set to battle it out for the number one jersey.

Northern Ireland take on Belarus in Hungary behind closed doors on Saturday at 7.45pm, before returning to Belfast to face Bulgaria at Windsor Park on Tuesday October 15th at 7.45pm