Northern Ireland Under-21s boss Tommy Wright has made one change to his squad for tomorrow night’s U21 Euro qualifier against Ukraine in Ballymena.
St Johnstone forward Makenzie Kirk has had to withdraw from the panel due to injury – and Larne striker Benjamin Magee has been called in to replace him.
Wright revealed: “Makenzie injured his groin and will be out for a number of weeks, which is unfortunate as he did well on Friday.”
Kirk was a second half substitute as the Under-21s drew 0-0 with England U21s on Friday. They produced an excellent display against the reigning European champions at the Ballymena Showgrounds.
The U21s will be back in action at the same venue tomorrow (10 September) against Ukraine, who currently top Group F in the UEFA U21 Euro 2025 qualifiers.
Ukraine defeated Serbia 2-1 on Friday to go three points clear of second-placed England in the group with a game in hand.
U21s boss Wright said: “The players are refreshed and ready to go against Ukraine. They deserve all the plaudits from the England performance but it's important for us to bring them back down to earth and prepare them for another tough game.”
He pointed out that Ukraine have already beaten top seeds England in the group stage.
“The Ukraine team is packed full of good players, but our lads are positive and feel like they can match them,” he added.
The game against the Ukrainians has a 7.45pm start and is free entry.
Northern Ireland were narrowly defeated 1-0 by Ukraine in the reverse fixture a year ago. That game was played at Slovakia’s National Training Centre in Poprad due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The U21s squad for tomorrow's match is as follows:
Goalkeepers – Stephen McMullan (Caernarfon Town, on loan from Fleetwood Town), Pierce Charles (Sheffield Wednesday), Fraser Barnsley (Everton).
Defenders – Sean Stewart and Shea Kearney (both Cliftonville), Tommy Fogarty (Birmingham City), Michael Forbes (Bristol Rovers, on loan from West Ham United), Aaron Donnelly (Colchester United, on loan from Nottingham Forest), Jonny Russell (Glentoran), Tom Atcheson (Marine, on loan from Blackburn Rovers), Ethan McGee (Linfield).
Midfielders – Patrick Kelly (Doncaster Rovers, on loan from West Ham United), Barry Baggley (Waterford, on loan from Fleetwood Town), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth), Justin Devenny (Crystal Palace), Darren Robinson (Hartlepool United, on loan from Derby County), JJ McKiernan (Lincoln City), Charlie Allen (Linfield), Euan Williams (Gillingham).
Forwards – Matty Lusty and Benjamin Magee (both Larne), Dale Taylor (Wigan Athletic, on loan from Nottingham Forest).
