NI can draw on strong club form in key window

What the report says

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill says the current international squad is benefiting from stronger club involvement, with several players getting regular minutes across England’s leagues. BBC Sport reports that the team met up for Nations League games against Ukraine and Hungary with notable examples of club form, including key performances from Pierce Charles, Isaac Price and Terry Devlin. O’Neill said he believes some of his players have the ability to become Premier League regulars.

The article says nine of the 24-man squad changed clubs over the summer, and that most of the group have been playing frequently at club level. That includes younger players in their early twenties whom O’Neill feels can still step up further. He also noted that improving the number of players in the Premier League would help Northern Ireland as a national side.

Among those highlighted were Jamie Donley and Callum Marshall, both at Luton Town. Donley, who is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, has recently scored and assisted for his club, while Marshall has also found the net in League One but has had limited starts. O’Neill said Donley’s club role is different from his international position, but that scoring for Luton should boost his confidence. He also said Marshall’s permanent move to Luton was a positive one and that it is now up to the striker to make the most of it.

Northern Ireland are currently top of Nations League Group B2 after four matches, according to BBC Sport.