Northern Ireland manager, Ian Baraclough has named six uncapped players in his 28-man Northern Ireland squad for UEFA Nations League fixtures in June 2022.
In goal, Celtic’s Conor Hazard has been dropped as Baraclough opted to recall Trevor Carson as well as name uncapped Josh Clarke in the goalkeeping selection.
Craig Cathcart, Tom Flanagan and Shane Ferguson have all been snubbed in defence as Baraclough called up an experimental uncapped pair – Brodie Spencer and Caolan Boyd-Munce alongside the returning experienced Jonny Evans, who missed March’s fixtures due to injury.
In midfield, Alfie McCalmont has been recalled to replace his Leeds teammate, Stuart Dallas who is absent due to a serious injury.
Shea Charles and Charlie McCann meanwhile have received their first senior call-ups in midfield to replace Corry Evans and Matthew Kennedy, following Baraclough’s decision to snub the pair in this international window.
Up front, only Dion Charles, Gavin Whyte and Shayne Lavery have retained their places as Josh Magennis drops out, with Baraclough opting to recall Kyle Lafferty plus Conor Washington and also hand uncapped McMenamin his first call-up.
Northern Ireland will kick off their UEFA Nations League campaign at home to Greece on Thursday 2 June (7:45pm BST) before visiting Cyprus and Kosovo on 5 and 9 June at 5pm and 7:45pm BST respectively, ahead of a home clash against Cyrus on 12 June (2pm BST).
Here is Northern Ireland’s 28-man squad in full to face Greece, Cyprus (away/home) and Kosovo.
Goalkeepers: Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Sheffield Wednesday – loan from Burnley), Luke Southwood (Reading), Trevor Carson (St Mirren), Josh Clarke (Glenavon)
Defence: Daniel Ballard (Millwall, loan from Arsenal), Ciaron Brown (Cardiff City), Conor Bradley (Liverpool), Paddy McNair (Middlesbrough), Trai Hume (Sunderland), Paddy Lane (Fleetwood Town),
Midfield: Steven Davis (Rangers), Niall McGinn (Aberdeen), George Saville (Millwall), Jordan Thompson (Stoke City), Alistair McCann (Preston North End), Charlie McCann (Rangers), Liam Donnelly (Motherwell), Alfie McCalmont (Leeds United), Shea Charles (Manchester City)
Forward: Dion Charles (Bolton Wanderers), Gavin Whyte (Oxford United, loan from Cardiff), Shayne Lavery (Blackpool), Conor Washington (Charlton), Kyle Lafferty (Kilmarnock), Conor McMenamin (Glentoran)
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