Ballard included in NI squad as Morrison called up
Dan Ballard was forced off with a hamstring concern in the second half of Sunderland's defeat by Brighton on Saturday
- Published
Sunderland defender Dan Ballard has been included in Northern Ireland's squad for the World Cup play-off semi-final in Italy despite a hamstring issue.
Ballard, 26, was forced off in the second half of the Premier League defeat by Brighton on Saturday.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill said he didn't "know the exact extent" of Ballard's injury, and admitted "there are a few injury problems" in his 28-man squad.
O'Neill, who is also managing Blackburn Rovers for the remainder of the season, is boosted by the return of the Charles brothers, goalkeeper Pierce and midfielder Shea for the play-off.
Preston midfielder Ali McCann and versatile Oxford United defender Brodie Spencer also return after missing November's final qualifiers.
Key defender Conor Bradley is sidelined with a knee injury sustained while playing for Liverpool in January, however there is a first call up for his club team-mate 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 Ryan Johnson and Jamal Lewis - who has had ankle surgery - drop out of the squad, and there is no place for winger Ross McCausland or goalkeeper Luke Southwood.
O'Neill has named four goalkeepers in his panel as Charles joins Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Josh Clarke and Conor Hazard - who has been nursing an injury.
"I know every player will do everything possible to try and be fit and available to play this game," O'Neill told BBC Sport NI.
"We just have to keep our fingers crossed for the players that didn't play for their clubs at the weekend [that] there is still enough time.
"There is 10 days until the game now and hopefully that is enough to still be as strong as we want to be."
Northern Ireland face Italy in Bergamo on Thursday, 26 March and the winner will travel to Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina in the play-off final on 31 March.
The winner of the play-off will be in Group B for the World Cup with 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 (Queen's 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 said Ballard was taken off as a precaution in the loss to Brighton, but it will not have stopped Northern Ireland fans sweating over his fitness for the play-off in Italy.
O'Neill only has four players who play in the Premier League at his disposal and, already without Bradley, it would be a huge blow if Ballard was to be ruled out.
Morrison has yet to make his Premier League debut for Liverpool, but has been a regular in matchday squads and has been in impressive form for the Reds' Under-23s side.
The winger made his senior Liverpool debut in the EFL Cup defeat by Crystal Palace in November, and was also featured in the FA Cup win over Wolves.
He has also been an unused substitute on nine occasions for Liverpool this season, including in Tuesday's Champions League tie at Galatasaray.
He is an exciting prospect with 13 goals in 17 appearances this season for Liverpool's Under-21s.
With more club fixtures to come before the squad meet up ahead of the play-off, O'Neill will be hoping his key men come through unscathed.
