Tommy Wright has revealed his squad for U21 Euro qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg this month.
The Northern Ireland Under-21s manager has chosen a 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 12 October (3pm kick-off).
And their final group game is against Luxembourg at the Emile Mayrisch Stadium in Esch-sur-Alzette in south-western Luxembourg on Tuesday 15 October (7.30pm BST).
Wright will be hoping his side can build on two excellent performances last month. They 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’s U21s currently sit fifth in Group F. Luxembourg are just ahead of them on goal difference - both teams have seven points from eight games - and Azerbaijan are bottom of the table on three points.
Ukraine are sitting pretty at the summit of the group with eight wins out of eight, while England are second (19 points) and Serbia third (13 points) going in to the last set of fixtures.
Northern Ireland lost at home to Luxembourg in September 2023 (1-0) and they defeated Azerbaijan away (1-0) last October.
Wright, who believes the U21s squad now has good strength in depth, said: “The aim is to finish the campaign strong and hopefully win these two games.”
His squad shows six changes from the panel chosen for last month’s qualifiers.
Stepping up to the U21s 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 (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.
Larne midfielder Dylan Sloan is back, too, after impressing in the NIFL Premiership this season.
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.
Barnsley replaces Sheffield Wednesday keeper Pierce Charles, who played against both England and Ukraine last month. Charles is expected to step up to the senior squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Belarus and Bulgaria.
Missing out this time are Jonny Russell (Glentoran), Tom Atcheson (Marine, on loan from Blackburn Rovers), Ethan McGee (Linfield), Barry Baggley (Waterford, on loan from Fleetwood Town), Euan Williams (Gillingham) and Benji Magee (Larne), who was a late replacement for the injured Makenzie Kirk ahead of the game against Ukraine last month.
Tickets for the Azerbaijan game in Ballymena on 12 October are available here.
The Northern Ireland U21s squad for the upcoming qualifiers is as follows:
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).
