Kyle Lafferty selected for Northern Ireland's Euro 2016 qualifiers

26 August 2015 13:46

Kyle Lafferty has been named in Northern Ireland's squad for their Euro 2016 qualification double-header against the Faroe Islands and Hungary next month.

Lafferty, who has scored six times for Michael O'Neill's side this campaign, has been ruled out of Norwich's opening matches of the season through injury.

But the striker returned to first-team training with the Canaries earlier this week, and will be available for selection for the trip to the Faroes on September 4 and the home tie against Hungary three days later.

West Brom midfielder Chris Brunt has also been included in O'Neill's squad despite limping off after 14 minutes in Tuesday night's Capital One Cup clash against Port Vale with a hamstring problem.

O'Neill has also handed a call-up to Nottingham Forest striker Jamie Ward. There were concerns a hamstring injury earlier this month would force him out of the crunch Group F fixtures.

Jonny Evans, out of favour at Manchester United, has also been included. West Brom and Everton are both said to be interested in signing the defender who has yet to play for Louis van Gaal's side this season.

:: Northern Ireland squad to face the Faroe Islands and Hungary: Carroll, Mannus, McGovern, Hughes, Baird, McAuley, J Evans, Cathcart, Ferguson, Hodson, McLaughlin, McNair, Davis, Brunt, C Evans, Norwood, McCourt, Dallas, Reeves, Lafferty, McGinn, Ward, Magennis, Grigg, Boyce, Lavery.

Source: PA