Michael O’Neill has named a 25-strong squad for this month’s international challenge matches against Switzerland and Sweden.
Northern Ireland are due to play the Swiss in a friendly at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast on Friday 21 March (7.45pm).
And that game will be followed by a friendly against the Swedes at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm on Tuesday 25 March (6pm GMT).
The Northern Ireland manager’s panel for the games shows nine changes from the senior men’s squad originally chosen for the UEFA Nations League matches against Belarus and Luxembourg in November.
There’s a first call-up to the Northern Ireland set-up for Ross County striker Ronan Hale, who previously played for the Republic of Ireland at Under-19 and U21 level.
The 26-year-old former Cliftonville and Larne forward has settled in well at the Dingwall club since switching to the Scottish Premiership from the NIFL Premiership at the start of this season, scoring 12 league and cup goals for the Staggies to date.
Portsmouth midfielder Terry Devlin is the only other uncapped player in the panel.
The 21-year-old, who has been operating at full-back for his club in the EFL Championship this season and has previously played for his country at U19 and U21 level, has been in the senior squad before but is yet to make his debut.
Experienced defender Paddy McNair, now playing in the MLS with San Diego FC, returns after missing games in the autumn through injury. McNair did pick up a knock playing for his club at the weekend but is expected to make the trip across the Atlantic.
Also back is Bolton Wanderers defender Eoin Toal, who was absent in the last international window due to injury.
Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Conor Hazard, who has been in the headlines this year for his FA Cup heroics, is another returnee. He missed all six autumn internationals after undergoing ankle surgery.
Dundee defender Aaron Donnelly comes back in, too, after switching to the Under-21s last time around.
Another returnee is Wigan Athletic forward Dale Taylor, who has been with the U21s of late.
Crystal Palace midfielder Justin Devenny and Norwich City defender Ruairi McConville, who both made their senior debuts in the last international window as Northern Ireland earned promotion after topping League C Group 3 in the UNL, have retained their places in the squad.
Liverpool defender Conor Bradley and Sunderland defender Daniel Ballard are both missing through injury.
Moving to the standby list this time are goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell, defender Kofi Balmer, midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce, winger Ross McCausland plus strikers Josh Magennis and Jamie Reid. Also missing out is defender Jamal Lewis.
Goalkeepers – Pierce Charles (Sheffield Wednesday), Conor Hazard (Plymouth Argyle), Luke Southwood (Bolton Wanderers).
Defenders – Ciaron Brown (Oxford United), Trai Hume (Sunderland), Brodie Spencer (Huddersfield Town), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers), Ruairi McConville (Norwich City), Paddy McNair (San Diego FC), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth), Aaron Donnelly (Dundee).
Midfielders – George Saville (Millwall), Jordan Thompson (Stoke City), Shea Charles (Sheffield Wednesday, on loan from Southampton), Isaac Price (West Bromwich Albion), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers), Ethan Galbraith (Leyton Orient), Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock), Justin Devenny (Crystal Palace), Ross McCausland (Rangers).
Forwards - Dion Charles (Huddersfield Town), Callum Marshall (Huddersfield Town, on loan from West Ham United), Lee Bonis (ADO Den Haag), Dale Taylor (Wigan Athletic, on loan from Nottingham Forest), Ronan Hale (Ross County).
