‘Right time’ to recall Peacock-Farrell – O’Neill

As he prepares for his third World Cup qualifying campaign as Northern Ireland manager, Michael O’Neill has firmly established his selection policies.

While the most repeated criteria has been the importance of his players getting as many minutes at as a high a level as possible when it comes to their club careers, another is the notion that no player showing the sufficient commitment to the cause will be cast aside by the former Newcastle United and Dundee United midfielder.

Before away qualifiers against Luxembourg and Germany next month, such a strategy was evident on Thursday as O’Neill revealed his 26-man squad for the double-header which included a return for goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

The 28-year-old has won 48 caps for Northern Ireland but has not been involved in the panel since November 2024, with his most recent cap coming two months prior.

Yet, with usual deputy Conor Hazard missing with a knee injury sustained in June, and first choice Pierce Charles a major doubt with a shoulder problem picked up for Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, the former Leeds United goalkeeper could be in line for what once seemed an unlikely return to a starting role.

“He’s the most experienced goalkeeper we have in terms of club and international football. It’s good to have him back”, said O’Neill.

Peacock-Farrell’s international comeback, however, has come at difficult juncture in his club career.

He is currently on loan at Blackpool from Birmingham – with the League One side his fifth club in as many seasons. And it has been a rocky start with Steve Bruce’s side who have conceded 11 goals in his four league games to date.

O’Neill, though, expects to see Peacock-Farrell’s best form soon.

“I think he’s had his best periods as a goalkeeper when he’s been on loan. Obviously, he’s on another loan now”, O’Neill said.

“The initial move to Birmingham, he’s honest enough to know that it hasn’t gone as well as what he would have hoped.

” He has a chance now at a very good club. It is a really good opportunity for him. “

O’Neill has also been impressed with the attitude Peacock-Farrell has shown in his efforts to get his club career back on track.

” I think that it was important for him to get the move. It’s easy to sit there in a situation and take the easy route, “he added.

” I know, having spoken to Bailey, that he hasn’t done that. He has sacrificed quite a bit to come and take this move and get himself and get his career going in the right direction again. I think that’s very commendable.

Peacock-Farrell is not the only returning player with Stevenage striker Jamie Reid also earning a recall after five League One goals in four games this season.

The 31-year-old scored against Romania on his international debut in March 2024 but, having failed to find the net for the side since, fell behind Ronan Hale and Lee Bonis in the pecking order for friendly games in March and June.

While there is no place for fit-again Exeter City striker Josh Magennis this time around, O’Neill says he will not “close the door” on any player.

“Look, we monitor 37 players, so we’re not going to close the door on players on the periphery of things”, he said.

“Players go through different things at different points in their career. We had to use the games in June to give players opportunities as well and we did that.