Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Gareth Fullerton

Northern Ireland squad named for Malta and Ukraine friendlies

Ian Baraclough has named his squad for next week's international double-header.

Northern Ireland play Malta in Austria next Sunday, May 30, followed by another friendly against Ukraine four days later.

Baraclough has gone with a blend of youth and experience for the games.

Included in his squad for the first time are teenage defenders Conor Bradley (Liverpool) and Sam McClelland (Chelsea).

Young Liverpool goalkeeper Liam Hughes retains his place after being called up for the triple header against Italy, Bulgaria and the USA.

There is also plenty of experience in the squad, with Leeds United midfielder Stuart Dallas, Kilmarnock striker Kyle Lafferty, Hull City forward Josh Magennis, Watford defender Craig Cathcart and Aberdeen winger Niall McGinn all named.

Paddy McNair and Shane Ferguson are also part of the group, while Jordan Jones and Paul Smyth return to the squad.

Linfield striker Shayne Lavery, who last night completed the double with the Blues, is also included, while Manchester United youngster Ethan Galbraith and young Leeds United star Alfie McCalmont are named.

Meanwhile, several experienced personnel will sit out the trip, including captain Steven Davis, Leicester City defender Jonny Evans, defender Jamal Lewis and striker Conor Washington.

Full squad

Goalkeepers: Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Burnley), Conor Hazard (Celtic), Liam Hughes (Liverpool).

Defenders: Craig Cathcart (Watford), Stuart Dallas (Leeds United), Shane Ferguson (Millwall), Paddy McNair (Middlesbrough), Daniel Ballard (Arsenal – on loan at Blackpool), Ciaron Brown (Cardiff City), Sam McClelland (Chelsea), Conor Bradley (Liverpool).

Midfielders: Niall McGinn (Aberdeen), George Saville (Middlesbrough), Jordan Thompson (Stoke City), Alistair McCann (St Johnstone), Alfie McCalmont (Leeds United), Jordan Jones (Rangers), Gavin Whyte (Cardiff City), Ethan Galbraith (Manchester United).

Forwards: Kyle Lafferty (Kilmarnock), Josh Magennis (Hull City), Liam Boyce (Heart of Midlothian), Shayne Lavery (Linfield), Dion Charles (Accrington Stanley), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers).

Baraclough's side were originally scheduled to face Turkey in Antalya next Monday but the match was cancelled after the country was placed on the Government's red list for travel.

The game against Malta will be played behind closed doors at the Worthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt.

The challenge match against Ukraine is set to be played on Thursday, June 3 at the Dnipro Arena, a 31,000-capacity stadium which is the home of Ukrainian Premier League side SC Dnipro-1.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.