Soccer

Conor Bradley returns to Northern Ireland squad Jonny Evans sits out friendlies

Conor Bradley is unlikely to play any further part in the qualifying campaign
Conor Bradley is unlikely to play any further part in the qualifying campaign (Zac Goodwin/PA)
By Ian Parker, PA

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans will sit out Northern Ireland’s friendlies against Romania and Scotland but Liverpool’s Conor Bradley is back in Michael O’Neill’s squad.

The Irish FA has not provided a reason for the absence of Evans, who has been a regular for United in recent weeks – featuring in their last three matches.

Bradley returns to the squad after missing all six Euro 2024 qualifiers in the autumn with a stress fracture in his back, having put in a series of eye-catching displays for Liverpool since returning to full fitness.

Jonny Evans has been part of the Northern Ireland squad since 2009 (PA)
Jonny Evans will sit out Northern Ireland’s friendlies against Romania and Scotland

O’Neill has also been able to call on goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell despite him suffering a nasty head injury playing for loan club Aarhus at the start of the month, while Rangers winger Ross McCausland and Bolton forward Dion Charles have also been called up despite recent injury concerns.

As expected, long-term absentees Stuart Dallas and Corry Evans remain out, while Derby striker Conor Washington, West Ham defender Michael Forbes and Portsmouth’s Terry Devlin are all missing along with Jordan Jones of Wigan and Kilmarnock’s Matthew Kennedy.

Stevenage forward Jamie Reid has received his first senior call-up.

Former under-21 international Reid, 29, has been rewarded for a strong season in League One so far, having scored 21 goals in 44 appearances for the Boro.