Ballard included in NI squad as Morrison called up
Sunderland defender Dan Ballard has been included in Northern Ireland's squad for the World Cup play-off semi-final in Italy despite a hamstring issue. Ballard, 26, was forced off in the second half of the Premier League defeat by Brighton on Saturday. Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill said he didn't "know the exact extent" of Ballard's injury, and admitted "there are a few injury problems" in his 28-man squad.
O'Neill, who is also managing Blackburn Rovers for the remainder of the season, is boosted by the return of the Charles brothers, goalkeeper Pierce and midfielder Shea for the play-off. Preston midfielder Ali McCann and versatile Oxford United defender Brodie Spencer also return after missing November's final qualifiers. Key defender Conor Bradley is sidelined with a knee injury sustained while playing for Liverpool in January, however there is a first call up for his club team-mate Kieran Morrison.
The 19-year-old has featured in the FA Cup and EFL Cup for Arne Slot's side this season and is a Northern Ireland underage international. Defenders Ryan Johnson and Jamal Lewis - who has had ankle surgery - drop out of the squad, and there is no place for winger Ross McCausland or goalkeeper Luke Southwood. O'Neill has named four goalkeepers in his panel as Charles joins Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Josh Clarke and Conor Hazard - who has been nursing an injury.
"I know every player will do everything possible to try and be fit and available to play this game," O'Neill told BBC Sport NI. "We just have to keep our fingers crossed for the players that didn't play for their clubs at the weekend [that] there is still enough time. "There is 10 days until the game now and hopefully that is enough to still be as strong as we want to be.
" Northern Ireland face Italy in Bergamo on Thursday, 26 March and the winner will travel to Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina in the play-off final on 31 March. The winner of the play-off will be in Group B for the World Cup with co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Qatar. Goalkeepers: Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Blackpool, on loan from Birmingham City), Conor Hazard (Plymouth Argyle), Pierce Charles (Sheffield Wednesday), Josh Clarke (Partick Thistle).