Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough has confirmed that Jordan Jones won’t be included in his squad for next week’s crucial Euro 2020 playoff with Slovakia at Windsor Park.
He also revealed he has spoken with the Rangers winger about his weekend Covid-19 breach and “made my feelings on the matter clear to him”.
Jones and team mate George Edmundson were suspended by Rangers after it emerged they attended a "private gathering with others outside of their household" on Sunday night.
Crucially the pair were also placed into a fortnight's isolation, meaning the 26-year-old winger would miss next Thursday’s showdown with the Slovakians in Belfast.
It is an untimely setback - and distraction - for Baraclough with the winners of the Windsor Park tie on November 12 progressing to next summer’s Euro finals.
In a statement issued by the Irish FA, Baraclough said: “I have spoken to Jordan today and made my feelings on the matter clear to him.
“This team has a responsibility to show leadership not only on the field, but off it too. It is something we have discussed many times.
“Jordan is a talented young player who has a lot to offer Northern Irish football.
“Unfortunately he has made the wrong decision in a period where we all need to look out for the safety of others, as well as ourselves.
“Jordan will not be included in my squad for the upcoming international window and hopefully he will learn from this incident.”
Baraclough is set to name his panel to face Slovakia this Thursday.
