Michael O'Neill names Northern Ireland squad for crucial double-header

Northern Ireland Manager Michael O’Neill has named his 25 man squad ahead of the crucial upcoming Russia 2018 qualifier double header next month.

O’Neill’s men travel to take on San Marino on Friday, September 1^st before hosting Czech Republic at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park on Monday the 4^th.

Northern Ireland come into the business end of the qualifying campaign in second place, four points clear of the Czechs.

An injury time winner away to Azerbaijan earned Northern Ireland a massive three points in their last FIFA World Cup qualifier back in June,

O’Neill’s men face a San Marino side who have conceded 13 goals in their last two competitive games.

“We’re not in a position where we can take San Marino lightly,” O’Neill told the association's official website at the squad announcement.

“We have to win the game, simple as that.

“We’ll pick a team that we think can win the game and then we’ll think about the second game after we’ve hopefully won the first game.

“The focus will always be on the first game to make sure we win that game, and then you’re in the right frame of mind, confidence of the players is high, and then a quick turnaround (for) the Czech Republic game.

“The prize at the end of it could be massive for us, but it’s only massive for us if we make sure we win the first game.”

A runners-up spot in the group would most likely give Northern Ireland a play-off spot (the eight best runners up from the nine qualifying groups earn a play-off) but the automatic qualification spot looks likely beyond them.

World Champions Germany sit top of Group C by five points.

O’Neill will have to do without a quartet of players due to injury as Gareth McAuley, Liam Boyce, Paddy McNair and Jamie Ward all miss out on the matches.

McAuley, the experienced defender, will be missed, as will be Ward at the other end. He was on the scoresheet in their last home qualifier, a 2-0 win over Norway in March.

With Boyce and Ward out, Bradford City’s Shay McCartan remains in the squad following his international debut in the 1-0 friendly against New Zealand in June.

O’Neill can call on Kyle Lafferty with the manager delighted with the striker’s start to the season at Hearts.

“Kyle has played about seven games now I think. Early games in the League Cup where he scored some goals (four in total).

“It was a good start for him. He fitter than he has been I’d say for a couple of years to be honest. That is a good thing for us.”

Northern Ireland squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Roy Carroll (Linfield), Michael McGovern (Norwich City), Alan Mannus (St. Johnstone).

Defenders: Aaron Hughes (Hearts), Jonny Evans (West Brom), Chris Brunt (West Brom), Craig Cathcart (Watford), Conor McLaughlin (Millwall), Lee Hodson (Rangers), Daniel Lafferty (Sheffield United), Adam Thompson (Bury), Ryan McLaughlin (Oldham Athletic), Tom Flanagan (Burton Albion).

Midfielders: Steven Davis (Southampton), Niall McGinn (Gwangju), Oliver Norwood (Brighton & Hove Albion), Corry Evans (Blackburn Rovers), Shane Ferguson (Millwall), Stuart Dallas (Leeds United), Paul Paton (St. Johnstone), Matthew Lund (Burton Albion).

Forwards:Kyle Lafferty (Hearts), Josh Magennis (Charlton), Conor Washington (QPR), Shay McCartan (Bradford).