Released Players to Miss Russia Match

 Michael O’Neil chose to omit Chris Baird, David Healy and Pat McCourt from his Northern Ireland squad for the rearranged World Cup qualifier against Russia on August 14^th. All three players were released by the former clubs at the end of last season and are currently without a club. Baird was released by Fulham and speculation had seen him linked with Queens Park Rangers however so far the move has not developed. Meanwhile McCourt has been training with Hibernian following his release by Celtic while Healy has been without a club since Bury released him.

 Despite their omissions from the squad O’Neil has refused to suggest this is the end of their international careers and stated that they would be in contention for a recall when their club career had been sorted out. He said “I think it is very difficult for any of our players who are unattached at the minute, and having spoken to the players themselves, they are in full agreement with that”. He also added “It would be difficult to bring in players who haven’t had a proper pre-season” and “it would be unrealistic to ask those players to have any sort of impact or influence on an international fixture”.

 Midfielder Chris Brunt is another notable absentee. The midfielder misses out through suspension as a result of the late booking he picked up in the last qualifier against Israel. Another midfielder, Sammy Clingan, also misses out through injury. However striker Kyle Lafferty returns to the squad having missed the last qualifier against Israel due to suspension.

Full squad: Carroll (Olympiacos), Mannus (St. Johnstone), Hughes (Fulham), McGivern (Hibernian), Cathcart (Blackpool), McAuley (West Brom), D Lafferty (Burnley), J Evans (Manchester United), Bruce (Hull), Davis (Southampton), Norwood (Huddersfield), McGinn (Aberdeen), Ferguson (Newcastle), C Evans (Blackburn), McCann (Peterborough), Ward (Derby), Grigg (Brentford), McKay (Inverness), Paterson (Huddersfield), K Lafferty (Palermo)