Bradley and Ballard out as Hale named in NI squad

Conor Bradley and Daniel Ballard will miss Northern Ireland’s friendlies with Switzerland and Sweden, while there is a first call-up for striker Ronan Hale.

Ross County’s Hale has been included after his international clearance came through in January after switching his allegiance from the Republic of Ireland.

Northern Ireland host Switzerland at Windsor Park on Friday, 21 March before Michael O’Neill’s side face Sweden in Stockholm four days later – with both matches available to watch on BBC Sport and BBC Northern Ireland.

Michael O’Neill has made a number of changes to his squad from November’s Nations League matches.

Key defenders Bradley and Ballard are left out through injury, while goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell and striker Josh Magennis drop to the standby list.

Caolan Boyd-Munce, Ross McCausland, Jamie Reid and Jamal Lewis miss out on O’Neill’s 25-man squad.

With Magennis ‘ omission, Paddy McNair is the sole remaining player from the Euro 2016 squad as he returns from injury, while goalkeeper Conor Hazard, defenders Eoin Toal and Aaron Donnelly and forward Dale Taylor have also been recalled.

Defender Bradley has not featured for Liverpool since injuring his hamstring in February’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa in the Premier League, while Ballard has been sidelined for Sunderland.

Belfast-born Hale, who is Ross County’s top scorer with 12 goals in all competitions, became eligible for Northern Ireland in January after representing the Republic of Ireland at underage level.

Goalkeeper Hazard missed NI’s Nations League campaign after ankle surgery but has impressed for Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup against Premier League sides Liverpool and Manchester City.

Crystal Palace midfielder Justin Devenny and defender Ruairi McConville, who joined Norwich City from Brighton in January, have retained their places in the squad after making their international debuts in November.

Goalkeepers: Pierce Charles (Sheffield Wednesday), Conor Hazard (Plymouth Argyle), Luke Southwood (Bolton Wanderers).

Defenders: Ciaron Brown (Oxford United), Trai Hume (Sunderland), Brodie Spencer (Huddersfield Town), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers), Ruairi McConville (Norwich City), Paddy McNair (San Diego FC), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth), Aaron Donnelly (Dundee).

Midfielders: George Saville (Millwall), Jordan Thompson (Stoke City), Alistair McCann (Preston North End), Shea Charles (Sheffield Wednesday – on loan from Southampton), Isaac Price (West Bromwich Albion), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers), Ethan Galbraith (Leyton Orient), Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock), Justin Devenny (Crystal Palace).