Lafferty in Northern Ireland squad for EURO 2016 push
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Kyle Lafferty was included in the Northern Ireland squad announced Wednesday for their UEFA EURO 2016 qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Hungary against next month. The striker has scored six times for Michael O'Neill's side, with Northern Ireland second in Group F, just a point behind leaders Romania.
However, he has missed newly-promoted Norwich City's opening matches of the English Premier League season through injury. Lafferty returned to first-team training this week and is expected to be available for the matches against the Faroes on 4 September and at home to Hungary three days later.
West Bromwich Albion midfielder Chris Brunt has also been included despite limping off after 14 minutes in Tuesday's League Cup clash against Port Vale with a hamstring problem. Meanwhile Jonny Evans, currently out of favour at Manchester United, has also been selected in O'Neill's squad.
Northern Ireland Squad:
Goalkeepers: Roy Carroll (Notts County/ENG), Michael McGovern (Hamilton Academicals/SCO), Alan Manus (St Johnstone/SCO)
Defenders: Aaron Hughes (Melbourne City/AUS), Chris Baird (Derby County/ENG), Gareth McAuley (West Bromwich Albion/ENG), Jonny Evans (Manchester United/ENG), Craig Cathcart (Watford/ENG), Shane Ferguson (Newcastle United/ENG), Conor McLaughlin (Fleetwood Town/ENG), Paddy McNair (Manchester United/ENG), Lee Hodson (MK Dons/ENG)
Midfielders: Steve Davis (Southampton/ENG), Chris Brunt (West Bromwich Albion/ENG), Corry Evans (Blackburn Rovers/ENG), Oliver Norwood (Reading/ENG), Pat McCourt (Luton Town/ENG), Stuart Dallas (Leeds United/ENG), Ben Reeves (MK Dons/ENG)
Forwards: Kyle Lafferty (Norwich City/ENG), Josh Magennis (Kilmarnock/SCO), Will Grigg (Wigan Athletic/ENG), Niall McGinn (Aberdeen/SCO), Jamie Ward (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Caolan Lavery (Sheffield Wednesday/ENG), Liam Boyce (Ross County/SCO)