Nations League: O'Neill names Northern Ireland squad

Michael O’Neill wlecomes back five players to his Northern Ireland squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Belarus and Bulgaria.

O’Neill’s side are due to play Belarus at the ZTE Arena in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, on Saturday 12 October (7.45pm).

Then they face the Bulgarians at Windsor Park on Tuesday 15 October (7.45pm).

Injuries to Cambridge United striker Shayne Lavery and Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Conor Hazard have paved the way for Stevenage striker Reid and Sheffield Wednesday keeper Charles to return to the squad.

Reid was unavailable for selection last month due to injury, while Charles played for the U21s against England and Ukraine. They were both last in the Northern Ireland senior panel for the friendlies against Spain and Andorra in June.

Stoke City midfielder Jordan Thompson and Huddersfield Town defender Brodie Spencer, who both had to pull out of the squad in September due to injury, have been included once again.

Also back in the fold is St Mirren midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce, who had to leave the camp early last month to attend the birth of his first child.

Ross County striker Ronan Hale, who has hit the ground running with the Scottish Premiership side since his Summer move from Cliftonville, is still awaiting ratification of his switch from the Republic of Ireland before he can be selected.

Northern Ireland began their fourth Nations League campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory against Luxembourg in Belfast - courtesy of goals from Paddy McNair and Daniel Ballard - and then lost to Bulgaria in Plovdiv on a 1-0 scoreline.

They are currently third in League C Group 3 behind Belarus and Bulgaria, both of whom have four points to date.

Northern Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Birmingham City), Luke Southwood (Bolton Wanderers), Pierce Charles (Sheffield Wednesday)

Defenders: Paddy McNair (West Bromwich Albion, on loan from San Diego FC), Jamal Lewis (Sao Paulo, 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).

Midfielders: George Saville (Millwall), Jordan Thompson (Stoke City), Alistair McCann (Preston North End), Shea Charles (Sheffield Wednesday, on loan from Southampton), Isaac Price (Standard Liege), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers), Ross McCausland (Rangers), Ethan Galbraith (Leyton Orient), Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock), Caolan Boyd-Munce (St Mirren)

Forwards: Josh Magennis (Exeter City), Dion Charles (Bolton Wanderers), Callum Marshall (Huddersfield Town, on loan from West Ham United), Jamie Reid (Stevenage)