Northern Ireland: Conor Bradley and Pierce Charles in squad for World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Germany despite injuries

Liverpool’s Conor Bradley has been named in Northern Ireland’s squad for World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Germany next month.

Bradley has not played for his club yet this season, missing both their Community Shield defeat by Crystal Palace and Premiership victory over Bournemouth because of a hamstring injury.

Despite his recent absences, the 22-year-old defender, who has scored four international goals in 25 caps, has been included in Michael O’Neill’s panel for away games against Luxembourg on 4 September and Germany in Cologne three days later.

The pair of fixtures, both of which will be shown live on the BBC, are the first of Northern Ireland’s qualifying fixtures for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Also included despite fitness concerns is Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles.

Charles, 20, has been O’Neill’s preferred choice in goal since last year’s Nations League campaign but he injured his shoulder during Sheffield Wednesday’s Championship defeat by Stoke City on Saturday with the Owls confirming on Thursday that he “faces a spell on the sidelines”.

With his usual international understudy, Plymouth Argyle’s Conor Hazard, yet to play this season because of an injury sustained against Denmark in June, O’Neill has recalled Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

The Birmingham City stopper, who is on loan at Blackpool, has won 48 caps for the side but has not been named in an international panel since September 2024.

Defenders Paddy McNair and Eoin Toal also return after missing the June friendlies through injury, while Stevenage striker Jamie Reid’s strong start to the League One season has been rewarded with an international recall.