Wanderers’ striker Dion Charles has been included in Northern Ireland’s squad for their upcoming European Championship qualifiers.
Last season’s 21-goal top scorer has been named by manager Michael O’Neill in a 27-man party for Group H games against Denmark and Kazakhstan.
However, Wanderers’ team-mate Eoin Toal misses out on the chance to win a possible first full cap after the defender picked up an ankle injury during a training camp which forced his withdrawal from the squad, with the problem not thought to be serious.
Former Wanderers’ loanee and 2022/23 Player of the Year Conor Bradley is selected in the squad for the fixtures in Copenhagen on Friday, 16 June and at Windsor Park, Belfast on Monday, 19 June.
Northern Ireland have won one of their two openings group games – thanks to Charles’ first two goals for his country in a 2-0 victory against San Marino – and will be looking to add to their points’ tally to enhance their hopes of qualifying for the 2024 Euro finals in Germany.
Charles will be looking to win his 16th cap as the spearhead of Northern Ireland’s attack against the Danes following the training camp staged in Leicestershire this week as part of their preparations for the Euro double-header.
Northern Ireland squad:
Goalkeepers – Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Burnley), Conor Hazard (Celtic), Luke Southwood (Reading).
Defenders – Jonny Evans (Leicester City), Craig Cathcart (Watford), Jamal Lewis (Newcastle United), Ciaron Brown (Oxford United), Conor Bradley (Liverpool), Trai Hume (Sunderland), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers), Aaron Donnelly (Nottingham Forest).
Midfielders – Paddy McNair (Middlesbrough), George Saville (Millwall), Jordan Thompson (Stoke City), Alistair McCann (Preston North End), Shea Charles (Manchester City), Paddy Lane (Portsmouth), Ethan Galbraith (unattached), Isaac Price (Everton), Sean Goss (unattached).
Forwards – Gavin Whyte (unattached), Shayne Lavery (Blackpool), Dion Charles (Bolton Wanderers), Conor McMenamin (Glentoran), Matthew Kennedy (Aberdeen), Dale Taylor (Nottingham Forest), Lee Bonis (Larne), Callum Marshall (West Ham United).