Uncapped Kilmarnock midfielder Brad Lyons is included in an injury-hit Northern Ireland squad for next month's Euro 2024 qualifiers against Slovenia and Kazakhstan.
Uncapped Kilmarnock midfielder Brad Lyons has been included in an injury-hit Northern Ireland squad for next month's Euro 2024 qualifiers against Slovenia and Kazakhstan.Queens Park Rangers winger Paul Smyth, not capped since 2021, also returns.In addition to long-term absentees Steven Davis, Corry Evans, Stuart Dallas and Shane Ferguson, O'Neill is unable to call upon Jamal Lewis, Conor Bradley and Aaron Donnelly.
Having picked up just three points from their opening four qualifiers, Northern Ireland resume their bid to reach next summer's Euros with trips to Slovenia on 7 September and Kazakhstan three days later.Speaking to BBC Sport Northern Ireland, O'Neill said he was pleased to welcome back seasoned international players such as Magennis and Washington after missing their experience in the defeats by Denmark and Kazakhstan in June.
"We're still without five or six players obviously particularly the lads with the longer-term injuries. Conor Bradley is a blow and Jamal Lewis being out again is a blow and Shane Ferguson. He scored the winner against Rangers in the opening league match of the season and played in the Viaplay Cup last-16 win over Celtic.
"He's taken his game to another level. He's established himself in the Kilmarnock team which has taken him a little bit of time to do.
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