Callum Marshall nearly had a dream start to his Northern Ireland career against Denmark
Jamal Lewis is back in the Northern Ireland squad for the qualifiers against San Marino and Slovenia
West Ham United teenager Callum Marshall has returned to the Northern Ireland senior squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against San Marino and Slovenia with a ringing endorsement from manager Michael O’Neill.
Due to injury the Northern Ireland boss is without a host of big hitters such as Steven Davis, Stuart Dallas and Conor Bradley while it has been decided to leave Shayne Lavery, Ciaron Brown and Gavin Whyte at home after they recently returned from spells on the sidelines.
Defensive stalwart Craig Cathcart has retired and there is no place for Linfield’s Joel Cooper despite his recent fine form but the uncapped Brad Lyons has stayed in the squad after being in the panel for September’s double header and Jamal Lewis is back.
Jamal Lewis is back in the Northern Ireland squad for the qualifiers against San Marino and Slovenia
Marshall (18) almost had a dream start to his Northern Ireland career scoring an injury time equaliser away to Denmark in June having come on as a substitute only for VAR to intervene and rule the goal out for offside.
The Hammers ace can expect more international game time against San Marino at Windsor Park on October 14 and possibly versus Slovenia three days later.
“We have seen evidence of Callum’s impact in Copenhagen, though it was a brief cameo,” said O’Neill in relation to Marshall’s recall.
“He has an instinct we have not had for a while, going back to when David (Healy) came into the squad.
“I remember watching David play at the start under Sammy (McIlroy) and he hadn’t played at Manchester United but
Read on belfasttelegraph.co.uk