Larne midfielder Dylan Sloan is back in the Northern Ireland Under-21 side for their Euro qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg this month.
Tommy Wright has revealed his 23-strong panel for the final two games of his team’s Uefa U21 Euro 2025 qualifying campaign.
Their final home game in Group F is against Azerbaijan at Ballymena Showgrounds on Saturday, October 12 (3.00pm).
And their last group game is against Luxembourg at the Emile Mayrisch Stadium in Esch-sur-Alzette in south-western Luxembourg on Tuesday, October 15 (7.30pm).
Wright’s boys recently drew 0-0 with England’s U21s at Ballymena Showgrounds before narrowly losing 2-1 to table toppers Ukraine at the same venue.
Northern Ireland lost 1-0 at home to Luxembourg in September last year and defeated Azerbaijan 1-0 away last October.
Stepping up for the first time is West Ham United defender Josh Briggs, who has previously played for his country at U16, U17, U18 and U19 level.
And returning to the fold after recovering from long-term injuries are Brighton and Hove Albion defender Ruairi McConville and Nottingham Forest midfielder Jamie McDonnell who is currently on loan at EFL League Two side Colchester United.
Matthew Carson, who joined National League South side Torquay United in the summer from Southampton, also returns.
Everton goalkeeper Fraser Barnsley, who was not named in the original panel last time but was subsequently a late call-up, retains his place in the squad as Sheffield Wednesday keeper Pierce Charles is expected to step up to the senior squad for the Uefa Nations League matches against Belarus and Bulgaria.
Among those missing out this time are Glentoran’s Jonny Russell, Linfield ace Ethan McGee and Larne frontman Benji Magee.
Northern Ireland U-21s squad:Goalkeepers: Stephen McMullan (Caernarfon Town, on loan from Fleetwood Town), Josh Clarke (Celtic), Fraser Barnsley (Everton); Defenders: Sean Stewart and Shea Kearney (both Cliftonville), Carl Johnston (Fleetwood Town), Tommy Fogarty (Birmingham City), Ruairi McConville (Brighton and Hove Albion), Josh Briggs (West Ham United), Michael Forbes (Bristol Rovers, on loan from West Ham United), Aaron Donnelly (Colchester United, on loan from Nottingham Forest), Matthew Carson (Torquay United); Midfielders: Patrick Kelly (Doncaster Rovers, on loan from West Ham United), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth), Justin Devenny (Crystal Palace), Darren Robinson (Hartlepool United, on loan from Derby County), Jamie McDonnell (Colchester United, on loan from Nottingham Forest), Dylan Sloan (Larne), JJ McKiernan (Lincoln City); Forwards: Dale Taylor (Wigan Athletic, on loan from Nottingham Forest), Charlie Allen (Linfield), Matty Lusty (Larne), Makenzie Kirk (St Johnstone).