Northern Ireland: O'Neill names six changes to his Nations League squad

It includes the return of Paddy McNair and Shayne Lavery

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill
Author: Nigel GouldPublished 29th Aug 2024

Michael O'Neill today (Thursday) announced six changes to his Northern Ireland's Nations League squad - but there are no new faces in the 25-strong panel..

Those returning to the fold for the games against Luxembourg and Bulgaria include Paddy McNair currently on loan with West Bromwich Albion from MLS side San Diego FCr Lunig.

Millwall midfielder George Saville is also back along with Preston North End's Ali McCann.

In addition, O'Neill welcomes the return of keeper Luke Southwood and striker Shayne Lavery, who signed for Cambridge United in the summer.

And completing the changes is Kilmarnock midfielder Brad Lyons.

Among the players missing out this time are Stevenage striker Jamie Reid and St Mirren winger Conor McMenamin who are both injured.

Of course, there is also no place for long-serving star Jonny Evans, who announced his retirement from international football after winning 107 caps - while brother Corry is still looking for another club.

Northern Ireland are set to play Luxembourg in UNL League C Group 3 at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast next Thursday (5 September).

And then they will be facing Bulgaria in a C3 game at Stadion Hristo Botev in Plovdiv on Sunday 8 September.

The Luxembourg game will have a 19.45 kick-off, while the game in Bulgaria is scheduled to start at 17.00.

The full squad is:

Goalkeepers – Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Birmingham City), Conor Hazard (Plymouth Argyle), Luke Southwood (Bolton Wanderers).

Defenders – Paddy McNair (West Bromwich Albion, on loan from San Diego FC), Jamal Lewis (Newcastle United), Daniel Ballard (Sunderland), Ciaron Brown (Oxford United), Trai Hume (Sunderland), Brodie Spencer (Huddersfield Town), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers),

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

Forwards - Josh Magennis (Exeter City), Dion Charles (Bolton Wanderers), Shayne Lavery (Cambridge United), Callum Marshall (Huddersfield Town, on loan from West Ham United).