MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 08:37:28| >> :600:149747:149747:

Grigg returns as Arsenal defender Ballard wins first Northern Ireland call-up

Grigg returns as Arsenal defender Ballard wins first Northern Ireland call-up
© Reuters
Striker Grigg missed clashes with Republic of Ireland and Austria in November.

Strikers Will Grigg and Conor Washington are back and there is a first call-up for Arsenal Under-23s defender Daniel Ballard in the Northern Ireland squad for this month's Euro 2020 qualifiers against Estonia and Belarus.

Grigg returns after missing the friendly against the Republic of Ireland and UEFA Nations League match against Austria in November because of injury.

Washington has not been involved in Northern Ireland's last four games, with boss Michael O'Neill in October saying he had requested to be omitted from the squad due to personal reasons.

Nineteen-year-old Ballard, who has played four times for Northern Ireland's Under-21s, is the only new face in the 27-man squad named by O'Neill on Tuesday.

Midfielder Oliver Norwood, Washington's Sheffield United team-mate, is not included due to personal reasons.

Michael Smith, Jamie Ward and Kyle Vassell are injured, and Trevor Carson is recovering from the DVT injury detected following the internationals in November.

Rangers' Gareth McAuley has been named in the 27 despite having treatment on a calf injury in recent weeks.

O'Neill's men host Estonia on March 21 and then Belarus three days later.

Regarding Norwood, O'Neill told Sky Sports News: "Ollie in recent weeks had asked to take a step back from international football at this minute in time. He has personal reasons for making that decision.

"It is a disappointment. He has been a big part of the success we've had here at Northern Ireland. He's a very important player, with over 50 caps.

"But we have to respect his decision, and hopefully he'll be back with the squad soon because I know both myself and the players would like him back."

Squad

Goalkeepers: Michael McGovern, Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Conor Hazard.

Defenders: Aaron Hughes, Gareth McAuley, Jonny Evans, Craig Cathcart, Conor McLaughlin, Paddy McNair, Jamal Lewis, Tom Flanagan, Daniel Ballard.

Midfielders: Steven Davis, Niall McGinn, Corry Evans, Shane Ferguson, Stuart Dallas, George Saville, Jordan Jones, Gavin Whyte, Jordan Thompson.

Strikers: Kyle Lafferty, Josh Magennis, Conor Washington, Liam Boyce, Will Grigg, Paul Smyth.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '6c97fcdd-0283-4ca8-8a5b-cd2a90a2fee4');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Grigg returns as Arsenal defender Ballard wins first Northern Ireland call-up'});

ID:353139: cacheID:353139:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4887:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Chris Baird pictured in February 2017
Read Next:
Chris Baird brings curtain down on playing career
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!