Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has recalled Pierce Charles and Jamie Reid to his squad for next week’s Nations League double-header with Belarus and Bulgaria.
The duo missed the last international window against Luxembourg and Bulgaria, Reid due to injury, but have been brought back in due to injuries to Conor Hazard and Shayne Lavery.
Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Charles – who played for the Under-21s last time out – and Stevenage striker Reid were both last in the senior squad for the friendly double-header with Spain and Andorra in June.
There has been good news on the injury front for O’Neill as he is able to call upon Brodie Spencer and Jordan Thompson, while Caolan Boyd-Munce is also available after the birth of his first child.
Northern Ireland head to the ZTE Arena in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary to take on Belarus in the third game of the group stages on Saturday 12 October before returning to Windsor Park on Tuesday 15 October to host the Bulgarians.
O’Neill’s men are third in Group C3 after beating Luxembourg in their opening game before falling to defeat to Bulgaria in Plovdiv last time out.
Northern Ireland squad to face Belarus and Bulgaria
Goalkeepers: Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Birmingham City), Luke Southwood (Bolton Wanderers), Pierce Charles (Sheffield Wednesday).
Defenders: Paddy McNair (West Bromwich Albion, on loan from San Diego FC), Jamal Lewis (Sao Paulo), Daniel Ballard (Sunderland), Ciaron Brown (Oxford United), Conor Bradley (Liverpool), Trai Hume (Sunderland), Brodie Spencer (Huddersfield Town), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers).
Midfielders: George Saville (Millwall), Jordan Thompson (Stoke City), Alistair McCann (Preston North End), Shea Charles (Sheffield Wednesday, on loan from Southampton), Isaac Price (Standard Liege), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers), Ross McCausland (Rangers), Ethan Galbraith (Leyton Orient), Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock), Caolan Boyd-Munce (St Mirren).
Forwards: Josh Magennis (Exeter City), Dion Charles (Bolton Wanderers), Callum Marshall (Huddersfield Town, on loan from West Ham United), Jamie Reid (Stevenage).