Michael O’Neill names squad for start of UEFA Nations League

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has named a 25 man squad for September’s Windsor Park matches against Bosnia & Herzegovina and Israel.

O’Neill’s men will kick off their UEFA Nations League campaign against Bosnia & Herzegovina on Saturday 8 September (kick-off 2pm) followed by a friendly on Tuesday 11 September against Israel (kick-off 7.45pm).

Returning to the squad are Will Grigg and Michael Smith who have missed matches recently due to injury. Having helped Wigan Athletic back to the Championship with a strong season, Grigg returns to the squad having struggled with injury since Euro 2016.

Smith meanwhile will be looking to add to his solitary cap which came in the 1-0 friendly victory over Slovenia in Belfast back in March 2016.

O’Neill used his end of season trip to Central America to blood players but has brought back an experienced selection for the start of this inaugural UEFA Nations League.

Players who missed the trip to Panama and Costa Rica in June who return include captain Steven Davis, goalkeeper Michael McGovern, Oliver Norwood, Niall McGinn, Jamie Ward, Jordan Jones and Kyle Lafferty (who secured a return to Rangers in the last few days – see here).

Norwich City full-back Jamal Lewis, who won his first cap in the friendly against South Korea back in March, is also back in the squad as is QPR striker Conor Washington who both missed the matches in Central America.

O’Neill has named Stuart Dallas in the squad even if the Leeds United midfielder is struggling with a quad muscle injury at present. His club team-mate Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Motherwell keeper Trevor Carson both are named in the squad.

As announced this week (see here), West Brom United captain Chris Brunt won’t play any further games for Northern Ireland having called time on his international career.

Speaking at Wednesday’s squad announcement, O’Neill noted the loss of Brunt but backed his decision to step away from the international game, while the former Shamrock Rovers manager expressed his delight to have some of his senior players like Gareth McAuley, back in the squad for these upcoming games.

“We can’t replace Chris Brunt,” said O’Neill. “He felt this was the right time for him and his family and we fully support his decision. Gareth McAuley is a massive player for us and it’s important for us have a player like that in the squad”

MON: “Kyle is coming off the back of a great season in goal scoring form. He can do really well for Rangers and he can continue to do well for us.” pic.twitter.com/6O4T9C90Rc

— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) August 23, 2018

Northern Ireland squad (for games against Bosnia & Herzegovina and Israel):

Goalkeepers: Michael McGovern (Norwich City), Trevor Carson (Motherwell), Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Leeds United).

Defenders: Craig Cathcart (Watford), Jonny Evans (Leicester City), Aaron Hughes (Hearts), Gareth McAuley (unattached), Conor McLaughlin (Millwall), Paddy McNair (Middlesborough), Michael Smith (Hearts), Jamal Lewis (Norwich City).

Midfielders: Steven Davis (Southampton), Niall McGinn (Aberdeen), Stuart Dallas (Leeds United), Corry Evans (Blackburn Rovers), Shane Ferguson (Millwall), George Saville (Millwall), Jordan Jones (Kilmarnock), Oliver Norwood (Sheffield United).

Forwards: Kyle Lafferty (Rangers), Liam Boyce (Burton), Josh Magennis (Bolton Wanderers), Will Grigg (Wigan Athletic), Conor Washington (QPR), Jamie Ward (Nottingham Forest).