Defender Michael Smith and winger Jordan Jones are out of the Northern Ireland senior men’s squad for the upcoming games against Luxembourg and Germany.
Boss Michael O’Neill described Smith’s absence as ‘a blow’. The 30-year-old full-back wasn't part of the Hearts squad for Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Hamilton Academicals at Tynecastle.
“Michael Smith is not with us,” said O’Neill. “Unfortunately Michael’s hamstring injury means that he won’t be able to be fit for either game which is a blow.”
Rangers winger Jordan Jones left Ibrox on crutches on Sunday after Steven Gerard’s team were beaten 2-0 by Celtic in the first Old Firm derby of the season.
The 24-year-old injured himself following a rash challenge on Celtic debutant Moritz Bauer which earned him a straight red card.
“Jordan Jones isn’t with us,” O’Neill added. “People will have seen the incident at the weekend so Jordan isn’t with us.”
Striker Liam Boyce, who scored a hat-trick for Burton Albion last week, remains part of O’Neill’s panel despite an injury concern after he was substituted 18 minutes from the end of the Brewers’ 2-0 win over Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
“Liam Boyce is with us. We’ll monitor him this week and see how he is,” O’Neill said.
