Four Irish League based players named in Tommy Wright's Northern Ireland U21 squad for away games against Czechia and Serbia

Cliftonville pair Sean Stewart (on loan from Norwich City) and Odhran Casey, as well as Linfield duo Ethan McGee and Chris McKee are included for away games against Czechia and Serbia.

First up for the U21s is an international challenge match against the Czechs on Thursday, March 21 in the CFIG Arena in Pardubice (5.30pm kick-off UK time).

Their second game in the March international window is a UEFA U21 Euro 2025 qualifier against Serbia on Tuesday, March 26. That game is being staged in the Gradski Stadion Dubocica in Leskovac (6pm start UK time).

Twelve of the players who were in the U21s squad for the Euro qualifier against England at Goodison Park in Liverpool back in November are not included this time, although the squad has reduced from 26 to 22 players.

Stewart is back after missing the England game through injury, while fellow defender Sam McClelland, who is on loan at Dundee United from St Johnstone, also makes a comeback after a spell out injured.

Defender Craig Farquhar, now with Crystal Palace, returns to the fold as well. The-ex Larne man last featured with the U21s in September.

The midfield will be boosted by the return of Sean McAllister, who is currently on loan at Inverness Caledonian Thistle. He missed out on the game against England at the home of his parent club Everton due to injury.

Linfield striker McKee, who was also crocked in November, has been named among the forward alongside Wycombe Wanderers’ Dale Taylor, who was with the seniors back in the autumn.

Sheffield Wednesday keeper Pierce Charles gets his first call-up as he steps up from the U19s, while also receiving his first call-up to the U21s is Cliftonville defender Casey.

Among the dozen players not included are U21 regulars Michael Forbes (West Ham United), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth) and JJ McKiernan (Morecambe) who are all injured at present.

The Northern Ireland U21s squad for the upcoming games is as follows:

Goalkeepers - Fraser Barnsley (Everton), Pierce Charles (Sheffield Weds).

Defenders - Carl Johnston (Fleetwood Town), Aaron Donnelly (Dundee, on loan from Nottingham Forest), Tommy Fogarty (Ebbsfleet United, on loan from Birmingham City), Sean Stewart (Cliftonville, on loan from Norwich City), Odhran Casey (Cliftonville), Ruairi McConville (Brighton and Hove Albion), Ethan McGee (Linfield), Sam McClelland (Dundee United, on loan from St Johnstone), Craig Farquhar (Crystal Palace).

Midfielders - Patrick Kelly (West Ham United), Barry Baggley (Fleetwood Town), Justin Devenny (Crystal Palace), Jamie McDonnell (Nottingham Forest), Charlie Allen (Leeds United), Sean McAllister (Inverness, on loan from Everton), Darren Robinson (Derby County).

Forwards - Ciaran McGuckin (Rotherham United), Chris McKee (Linfield), Dale Taylor (Wycombe Wanderers), Conor Falls (Huddersfield Town).