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Adam Thompson and Shay McCartan get Northern Ireland call-ups

Southend United's Adam Thompson celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game during the Sky Bet League One match at Roots Hall, Southend-on-Sea
Image: Southend defender Adam Thompson has received his first call-up to the Northern Ireland squad for six years

Northern Ireland have called up Southend's Adam Thompson and Accrington's Shay McCartan for the upcoming international fixtures against New Zealand and Azerbaijan.

Thompson's last appearance came in 2011 before Michael O'Neill's appointment as manager, while McCartan could make his debut amid the striker shortage brought by the absence of Conor Washington and Jamie Ward.

Shay McCartan
Image: Accrington Stanley forward Shay McCartan could be in line to make his international debut after being named in the squad

Washington is unavailable because he is getting married, while Ward is injured, but West Brom's Gareth McAuley has been included despite concerns over a knee injury which saw him miss the Baggies' final two games of the season. Burton defender Tom Flanagan is another potential debutant.

O'Neill's team host New Zealand on Friday, and they will then spend four days in Turkey before visiting Azerbaijan in a World Cup Group C qualifier on June 10.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill during the 2018 World Cup Qualifier against San Marino
Image: Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill has also called up uncapped pair McCartan and Tom Flanagan

Full Northern Ireland squad:

Goalkeepers: Roy Carroll (Linfield), Michael McGovern (Norwich), Alan Mannus (St. Johnstone)

Defenders: Aaron Hughes (Hearts), Gareth McAuley (West Brom), Jonny Evans (West Brom), Craig Cathcart (Watford), Conor McLaughlin (Fleetwood), Lee Hodson (Rangers), Daniel Lafferty (Sheffield United), Adam Thompson (Southend), Ryan McLaughlin (Oldham), Tom Flanagan (Burton)

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Image: Northern Ireland will play a friendly against New Zealand and a World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan in June

Midfielders: Steven Davis (Southampton), Chris Brunt (West Brom), Niall McGinn (Aberdeen), Oliver Norwood (Brighton), Shane Ferguson (Millwall), Stuart Dallas (Leeds), Paul Paton (St. Johnstone), Matthew Lund (Burton

Forwards: Kyle Lafferty (Unattached), Josh Magennis (Charlton), Liam Boyce (Ross County), Shay McCartan (Accrington Stanley).

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