Ballard And Spencer Out Of Ni's World Cup Qualifiers

Northern Ireland defenders Daniel Ballard and Brodie Spencer person been ruled retired of nan upcoming World Cup qualifiers distant to Luxembourg and Germany.

Ballard was forced disconnected successful nan first half of Sunderland's 2-0 nonaccomplishment against Burnley connected Saturday, whilst Spencer was injured successful Oxford United's Carabao Cup conclusion against Brighton connected Tuesday.

It is simply a further rustle for leader Michael O'Neill, who is already without goalkeepers Pierce Charles and Conor Hazard arsenic good arsenic defender Ciaron Brown and midfielder Jordan Thompson done injury.

O'Neill has called up uncapped trio Kofi Balmer, Ryan Johnson and Jamie McDowell arsenic replacements and for further cover.

Motherwell defender Balmer, 25, made 20 appearances for Northern Ireland's under-21 broadside and has been called up to nan elder squad connected six occasions without making an appearance.

Johnson, a 28-year-old centre-back who plays for League One AFC Wimbledon, receives his first elder call-up aft featuring for Northern Ireland astatine under-21 level.

Midfielder McDonnell is presently connected indebtedness astatine League One broadside Mansfield Town from Premier League broadside Nottingham Forest, who he joined from Irish Premiership broadside Glentoran successful 2020.

The 21-year-old has represented NI astatine under-17 and under-21 level.

Northern Ireland statesman their World Cup qualifying run pinch a crippled against Luxembourg connected Thursday, 4 September.

They past recreation to Cologne to return connected Germany successful their 2nd crippled successful Group A connected Sunday, 7 September.