O'Neill gives Charles first senior call-up for Spain and Andorra friendlies

Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles has been selected for the Northern Ireland senior men’s squad for the first time.

He is the younger brother of Northern Ireland midfielder Shea Charles, and has been included in Michael O’Neill’s panel for the upcoming international matches against Spain and Andorra.

The 18-year-old keeper has trained with the senior squad before, however this is his first official call-up to the seniors. The teenager has previously played for his country at U17, U19 and U21 level.

The team will face Spain in Mallorca on Saturday June 8th, before taking on Andorra in Murcia on Tuesday, June 11th.

Sunderland captain Corry Evans returns to the international fold after an absence of 20 months. He suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in January 2023.

Others who are coming back into the fold include Watford full back Jamal Lewis and Rangers winger Ross McCausland. Both were included in the original panel in March but had to withdraw due to injury.

The full squad is:

Goalkeepers – Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Aarhus, on loan from Burnley), Conor Hazard (Plymouth Argyle), Pierce Charles (Sheffield Wednesday).

Defenders – Jonny Evans (Manchester United), Jamal Lewis (Watford, on loan from Newcastle United), Daniel Ballard (Sunderland), Ciaron Brown (Oxford United), Conor Bradley (Liverpool), Trai Hume (Sunderland), Brodie Spencer (Huddersfield Town), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers), Aaron Donnelly (Dundee, on loan from Nottingham Forest).

Midfielders – Corry Evans (Sunderland), Jordan Thompson (Stoke City), Shea Charles (Southampton), Conor McMenamin (St Mirren), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers), Isaac Price (Standard Liege), Ross McCausland (Rangers), Ethan Galbraith (Leyton Orient), Caolan Boyd-Munce (St Mirren).

Forwards - Josh Magennis (Wigan Athletic), Dion Charles (Bolton Wanderers), Callum Marshall (West Ham United), Jamie Reid (Stevenage), Dale Taylor (Wycombe Wanderers, on loan from Nottingham Forest).