Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has named a 28-player squad for an upcoming four-game Nations League window - with nine changes and additions from the last panel for friendlies against Guinea and France this summer.

Goalkeepers Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Conor Hazard return to the fold while Dan Ballard, Terry Devlin and Eoin Toal have all recovered from injuries which kept them out in June.

Preston North End midfielder Jordan Thompson has been named in a Northern Ireland squad for the first time since March 2025 and striker Dion Charles is also back having missed the recent friendlies.

In a major injury boost for O’Neill, experienced defender Paddy McNair has recovered in time to take his place after missing Hull City action.

placeholder image — Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Wire)

Michael Forbes, who made a summer switch to Dundee United from West Ham United, will also have a chance to add to his one senior cap after inclusion.

Arsenal teenager Ceadach O’Neill had been linked with interest from the Republic of Ireland but is once again named in Northern Ireland’s panel alongside fellow ex-Linfield youngster Braiden Graham.

Luke Southwood, Jamie Reid and Josh Clarke have missed out on selection while Ali McCann, Brad Lyons and Conor Bradley are injured.

First up for Northern Ireland in League B Group 2 is an away game against Georgia in Tbilisi on Friday 25 September followed by a home encounter against Hungary in Belfast on Monday 28 September.

Northern Ireland will be away again on Friday 2 October to take on Ukraine in Slovakia before facing Georgia at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park on Monday 5 October.

Northern Ireland squad for Nations League fixtures

Goalkeepers – Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Blackpool), Conor Hazard (Wycombe Wanderers), Pierce Charles (Queens Park Rangers, on loan from Manchester City).

Defenders – Daniel Ballard and Trai Hume (both Sunderland), Ciaron Brown and Brodie Spencer (both Oxford United), Paddy McNair (Hull City), Ruairi McConville (Norwich City), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth), Tom Atcheson (Blackburn Rovers), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers), Michael Forbes (Dundee United).

Midfielders - Ethan Galbraith and Justin Devenny (both Stoke City), Shea Charles (Fulham), Isaac Price (West Bromwich Albion), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers), Jordan Thompson (Preston North End), Jamie McDonnell (Oxford United), Patrick Kelly (Barnsley), Kieran Morrison (Sheffield Wednesday, on loan from Liverpool),

Forwards - Josh Magennis (Stevenage), Dion Charles (Blackpool, on loan from Huddersfield Town), Callum Marshall (Luton Town), Jamie Donley (Luton Town, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Braiden Graham (Everton), Ceadach O’Neill (Arsenal).