Football Show: Lavery and Donnelly tipped to start for NI against Luxembourg

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill is expected to use Thursday’s friendly with Luxembourg to field some of the younger members of his squad.

Linfield striker Shayne Lavery and Motherwell’s Liam Donnelly are two of the players being tipped to take part at Windsor Park.

Both feature as guests this week on our Bet McLean Football Show, alongside Stuart Dallas, previewing the friendly and next Monday’s Euro Qualifier with Germany.

20.year-old striker Lavery said: “I'm just happy to be here and get as much experience as I can training with the lads and the coaches. Any game time is a bonus because I'm just happy to be with the squad."

"We're top of the group. I know we haven't played Germany or Holland yet but I think they'll be wary of us," said Lavery.

Former Under-21 captain Liam Donnelly is also back among the senior panel, 5 years after winning his only cap.

"I'm obviously buzzing to be back. I didn't think it would be this long until I was, but these things happen. The squad has done really well in the past couple of years, so I knew I would have to play well to get the chance to come back," said Donnelly.