Ian Baraclough chooses 26-strong Northern Ireland panel for Slovakia showdown

Baraclough has made three changes from the squad which secured a coveted place in the play-off decider last month with Manchester United midfielder Ethan Galbraith, Aberdeen winger Matthew Kennedy and Celtic goalkeeper Conor Hazard coming in.

Galbraith and Kennedy have replaced Rangers winger Jordan Jones, who has been excluded from the squad after breaking Covid-19 protocols at his club, and Oxford United winger Joel Cooper.

And Hazard comes in for Motherwell stopper Trevor Carson, who was injured during a league match at the end of October and will be out of action until early next year.

Vice-captain Jonny Evans has sat out Leicester City’s last two matches with a back problem, however he is expected to report for international duty following the Foxes’ UEFA Europa League match against Braga tonight (Thursday) and their Premier League encounter with Wolves on Sunday.

If Northern Ireland defeat Slovakia in next week’s Path B final they will face Spain, Poland and Sweden in the group stages (Group E) of Euro 2020 next summer.

Northern Ireland squad for triple header against Slovakia, Austria and Romania:

Goalkeepers – Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Burnley), Michael McGovern (Norwich City), Conor Hazard (Celtic).

Defenders – Jonathan Evans (Leicester City), Craig Cathcart (Watford), Stuart Dallas (Leeds United), Shane Ferguson (Millwall), Conor McLaughlin (Sunderland), Jamal Lewis (Newcastle United), Michael Smith (Heart of Midlothian), Tom Flanagan (Sunderland), Daniel Ballard (Arsenal).

Midfielders – Steven Davis (Rangers), Corry Evans (Blackburn Rovers), Niall McGinn (Aberdeen), Patrick McNair (Middlesbrough), George Saville (Middlesbrough), Gavin Whyte (Cardiff City), Matthew Kennedy (Aberdeen), Jordan Thompson (Stoke City), Ethan Galbraith (Manchester United), Alistair McCann (St Johnstone).

Forwards – Kyle Lafferty (Reggina), Josh Magennis (Hull City), Conor Washington (Charlton Athletic), Liam Boyce (Heart of Midlothian).

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