Sykes earns senior Northern Ireland call-up

PRESSEYE

Published 30th May 2019

Mark Sykes has been handed his first senior call-up for Northern Ireland.

The former Glenavon midfielder has impressed since his move to League One side Oxford United in January.

Sykes, along with clubmate Gavin Whyte, has been part of two training squads that have been put through their paces in Manchester.

Arsenal defender Daniel Ballard retains his place having been part of the panel for the corresponding fixtures in March, and there are call-ups for veterans Gareth McAuley and Aaron Hughes.

Northern Ireland sit top of Group C ahead of their away double-header to take on Estonia and Belarus.

Goalkeepers: Michael McGovern (Norwich City), Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Leeds United), Conor Hazard (Celtic).

Defenders: Aaron Hughes (Hearts), Gareth McAuley (Rangers), Jonny Evans (Leicester City), Craig Cathcart (Watford), Conor McLaughlin (unattached), Paddy McNair (Middlesbrough), Jamal Lewis (Norwich City), Michael Smith (Hearts), Tom Flanagan (Sunderland), Daniel Ballard (Arsenal).

Midfielders: Steven Davis (Rangers), Corry Evans (Blackburn Rovers), Shane Ferguson (Millwall), Stuart Dallas (Leeds United), George Saville (Middlesbrough), Jordan Jones (Rangers), Gavin Whyte (Oxford United), Jordan Thompson (Blackpool), Mark Sykes (Oxford United).

Forwards: Kyle Lafferty (Rangers), Josh Magennis (Bolton Wanderers), Conor Washington (unattached), Liam Boyce (Burton Albion), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers).