Donley added to NI squad but Toal & Charles ruled out

1 day ago 10

Jamie Donley's expected addition to the Northern Ireland squad for the friendlies against Switzerland and Sweden has been confirmed.

However, defender Eoin Toal will miss the games because of injury and has been replaced by Kofi Balmer while striker Dion Charles withdrew later on Tuesday with a a hamstring injury.

Twenty-year-old Tottenham forward Donley, who is impressing during a loan stint at League One Leyton Orient, previously played for Northern Ireland at youth level before switching allegiance to England.

However, the Antrim-born player has now been handed a first Northern Ireland senior call-up for Friday's home game against the Swiss and Tuesday's match in Sweden.

Fifa confirmed on Tuesday evening that Donley is eligible to represent Northern Ireland with immediate effect and all relevant paperwork has now been completed.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill said he was "pleased to welcome Jamie into the squad".

"He is a young player that we have been tracking for some time," added O'Neill.

O'Neill added that he was "disappointed for" Bolton's Toal but said he was confident that Motherwell's Balmer "can come in and make an impact".

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