'The key is for them to transfer the club form to international stage' : O'Neill on his Nations League strikers
Gavin Whyte and Tom Flanagan also in 25-player line-up
Michael O’Neill has challenged his strike-force to replicate their current goal-scoring success at club level on the international stage.
Five forwards have been included in Northern Ireland’s 25-man squad for their forthcoming crucial Nations League fixtures – starting with Austria on Friday, October 12, then Bosnia three days later.
Kyle Lafferty (Rangers), Will Grigg (Wigan), Josh Magennis (Bolton) and Liam Boyce (Burton Albion) have been hammering in the goals for their clubs.
O’Neill says he is hoping now they can do the same for their country.
“At the end of the day the lads are doing well – Liam has had a great start to the season – seven goals obviously Will has started the season well, Josh has started well so has Kyle so they are all scoring goals at their clubs which is good,” he said.
“The key is we need them to score them at an international level which is a bit differentl.
“That’s hopefully where they can transfer their club form on the international stage.”
The squad also sees another call-up for former Crusaders midfielder Gavin Whyte, now playing for League One side, Oxford United.
He retains his place after scoring on his international debut last month against Israel.
O’Neill says he deserves his place.
“Gavin has got off on the right mark – his form has been really good at Oxford,” he said.
“He looked very sharp in training, as I said previously, the last time we were together. He made a real impact in training.
“He has got to continue what he is doing.
“Playing in League One – Oxford are struggling a wee bit which isn’t ideal – but it gives him a short window to show what he is capable of.”
But there is no place for Rangers centre-back Gareth McAuley who is still short of match fitness.
Sunderland defender Tom Flanagan could pick up his second cap as a result – the first coming more than a year ago.
O’Neill says his club form has been excellent.
“You know he just had a few wee injuries problems towards the end of last season so hopefully he can push on now and put pressure on the lads that are there,” he said.
The full squad to play Austria and Bosnia is:
Goalkeepers: Michael McGovern (Norwich), Trevor Carson (Motherwell), Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Leeds).
Defenders: Craig Cathcart (Watford), Jonny Evans (Leicester), Aaron Hughes (Hearts), Tom Flanagan (Sunderland), Conor McLaughlin (Millwall), Paddy McNair (Middlesbrough), Michael Smith (Hearts), Jamal Lewis (Norwich).
Midfielders: Steven Davis (Southampton), Niall McGinn (Aberdeen), Stuart Dallas (Leeds), Corry Evans (Blackburn), Shane Ferguson (Millwall), George Saville (Middlesbrough), Jordan Jones (Kilmarnock), Oliver Norwood (Brighton, on loan at Sheffield United), Gavin Whyte (Oxford United).
Forwards: Kyle Lafferty (Rangers), Liam Boyce (Burton), Josh Magennis (Bolton), Will Grigg (Wigan), Jamie Ward (Nottingham Forest, on loan at Charlton).