Dan Ballard Included in Northern Ireland Squad Despite Hamstring Concern
Dan Ballard was forced off with a hamstring concern in the second half of Sunderland's defeat by Brighton on Saturday.
Sunderland defender Dan Ballard has been named in Northern Ireland's squad for the World Cup play-off semi-final in Italy despite a hamstring issue.
Ballard, 26, was substituted in the second half of the Premier League match against Brighton on Saturday.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill, who is also managing Blackburn Rovers for the remainder of the season, has been bolstered by the return of the Charles brothers, goalkeeper Pierce and midfielder Shea, in his extended 28-man squad.
Preston midfielder Ali McCann and versatile Oxford United defender Brodie Spencer also return after missing the November final qualifiers.
Key defender Conor Bradley remains sidelined with a knee injury sustained while playing for Liverpool in January; however, there is a first call-up for his club teammate 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 Jamal Lewis and Ryan Johnson have dropped out of the squad, and winger Ross McCausland is not included.
Northern Ireland will face Italy in Bergamo on Thursday, 26 March, with the winner advancing to the play-off final against Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina on 31 March.
The victor of the play-off will join Group B at the World Cup alongside co-hosts Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar.
Northern Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers: Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Blackpool, on loan from Birmingham City), Conor Hazard (Plymouth Argyle), Pierce Charles (Sheffield Wednesday), Josh Clarke (Partick Thistle).
Defenders: Paddy McNair (Hull City, on loan from San Diego), Dan Ballard (Sunderland), Ciaron Brown (Oxford United), Trai Hume (Sunderland), Brodie Spencer (Oxford United), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers), Ruairi McConville (Norwich City), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth).
Midfielders: George Saville (Luton Town), Ali McCann (Preston), Shea Charles (Southampton), Isaac Price (West Brom), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers), Ethan Galbraith (Swansea City), Justin Devenny (Crystal Palace), Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock), Jamie Donley (Oxford United, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Jamie McDonnell (Oxford United), Patrick Kelly (Barnsley), Kieran Morrison (Liverpool).
Forwards: Josh Magennis (Exeter City), Dion Charles (Huddersfield Town), Callum Marshall (VfL Bochum, on loan from West Ham), Jamie Reid (Stevenage).
Morrison Rewarded for Form - Analysis
Kieran Morrison featured in Liverpool's FA Cup win at Wolves earlier in March.
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris stated that Ballard was taken off as a precaution in the loss to Brighton, but this will not have alleviated Northern Ireland fans' concerns over his fitness for the play-off in Italy.
"Ballard was taken off as a precaution," said Le Bris.
O'Neill has only four players who compete in the Premier League available, and with Bradley already sidelined, losing Ballard would be a significant setback.
Morrison has yet to make his Premier League debut for Liverpool but has been regularly included in matchday squads and has impressed for the Reds' Under-23 side.
The winger made his senior Liverpool debut in the EFL Cup defeat by Crystal Palace in November and also appeared in the FA Cup win over Wolves.
He has been an unused substitute nine times this season, including in Tuesday's Champions League match at Galatasaray.
Morrison is regarded as an exciting prospect, having scored 13 goals in 17 appearances this season for Liverpool's Under-21s.
With additional club fixtures before the squad convenes ahead of the play-off, O'Neill will be hoping his key players remain fit and available.
