Derry players Nathan Gartside, Eoin Toal and Jake Dunwoody among players named in Northern Ireland U21 squad

Three Derry City players have been named in the Northern Ireland u21 squad by caretaker manager Andy Crosby ahead of upcoming games with Malta and Denmark.

Derry players Nathan Gartside, Eoin Toal and Jake Dunwoody are all included with the Candystripes game with Dundalk next weekend having been postponed as a result.

Crosby is in interim charge having taken up temporary command after former boss Ian Baraclough was promoted to the senior squad managerial position. Crosby is no stranger to this panel of players though having served as Baraclough’s assistant in recent times.

Crosby commenting on the squad’s unveiling said: “I am proud and honoured that Ian and the IFA board have given me this opportunity to continue the great progress made both on and off the pitch with this group of players. 

“A lot of things have changed in the world since we were last together but I’m looking forward to seeing the players and staff, and having had numerous conversations with them I know they can’t wait to get back together, prepare well and represent the country with pride in the two games. 

“We face challenges against two teams with different qualities but we are looking forward to those challenges.”

The North’s U21’s are heading into the second half of their qualifying group for Euro 2021 having not picked up a win to date with three draws and two defeats in their opening five games. In order to progress they must finish as one of the group winners or failing that they must be one of the five best runners up.

The Northern Ireland U21 squad for the games against Malta and Denmark is as follows:

Goalkeepers – Conor Hazard (Celtic), Nathan Gartside (Derry City). 

Defenders – Eoin Toal (Derry City), Caolan Marron (Glentoran), Kofi Balmer (Ballymena United), Jack Scott (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Daniel Amos (Doncaster Rovers), Ross Larkin (Linfield), Aaron Donnelly (Cliftonville), Nathan Kerr (Portadown).

Midfielders – Alfie McCalmont (Leeds United), Caolan Boyd-Munce (Birmingham City), Chris Gallagher (Glentoran), Ali McCann (St Johnstone), Jake Dunwoody (Derry City), Ethan Galbraith (Manchester United), Kyle McClean (Linfield).

Forwards – David Parkhouse (Sheffield United), Paul O’Neill (Glentoran), Harry Robinson (Motherwell), Lee Bonis (Portadown), Christopher Conn (Burnley).