Jonny Evans has been passed fit for Michael O'Neill's first two competitive matches in charge of Northern Ireland.
The Manchester United
defender had ankle surgery at the end of last season and has not played
so far this term, although he did make the bench for United's win over
Fulham.
Evans's appearance record for his country is patchy, but
he is integral to O'Neill's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup, and
has been named in the 23-man squad that takes on Russia on 7 September
and Luxembourg four days later at Windsor Park.
O'Neill has been
in charge of three friendly matches since taking over from Nigel
Worthington and, although he has yet to win, there were encouraging
signs in the 3-3 draw against Finland.
He ran the rule over a host of players in defeats to Norway and Holland, and has now settled on his first competitive squad.
One
notable absentee is the country's record scorer, David Healy. The
much-travelled striker was not involved in the Finland match either, but
has since signed for Bury and scored from the penalty spot on his
debut.
The Sion forward Kyle Lafferty remains first-choice up
front, and he is joined by Walsall's Will Grigg, Burnley's Martin
Paterson, who scored his maiden international goal against the Finns,
and the Rangers duo Dean Shiels and Andy Little.
Both Shiels and
Little will have to prove they are capable of balancing life in the
bottom tier of Scottish football with a World Cup qualifying campaign,
but O'Neill has vowed to give them every chance to do so.
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