Inexperienced keepers battle for NI opportunity

When in Belfast last week to announce his squad for the upcoming Nations League double-header, Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill backed goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell as his number one despite a difficult start to life at Birmingham City.

But with the games against Belarus and Bulgaria now days away, O'Neill has since learned he will have no alternative but to explore other options between the posts.

The shoulder injury sustained by Peacock-Farrell, coming at a time when his international back-up Conor Hazard is already on the sidelines after ankle surgery, has left the manager with something of a selection quandary given the two goalkeepers remaining in his squad, Luke Southwood and Pierce Charles, possess just one international cap between them.

Having debuted for the side in 2018, Peacock-Farrell would have been expected to start both games this month and win what would have been his 50th cap in the latter match against Bulgaria at Windsor Park.

The former Leeds United and Burnley man was first choice during the final years of the manager's first stint in charge, through the tenure of Ian Baraclough and since O'Neill's return in 2022.

Although he was at fault for the goal scored by Bulgaria in Northern Ireland's 1-0 defeat in Plovdiv last month, O'Neill has showed no signs of losing faith in the 27-year-old.

"There's not a lot I can say to him other than to put it behind him, Bailey hasn't made too many of those mistakes for Northern Ireland that have cost us a goal," he said following that defeat.

"He has had a tricky enough start to his career at Birmingham, but this is a test, and he has to play through this period.

"He has proven himself to be a good goalkeeper. You don't become a bad goalkeeper overnight and I have no doubt he will be fine."

With eight international caps and playing regularly at Plymouth Argyle in the Championship before his injury, Hazard would have proven the natural deputy.

Pierce Charles, brother of midfielder Shea Charles, has put in a string of impressive performances for the Northern Ireland Under-21s this year, most especially in an away victory over Serbia in March and then when keeping a clean sheet against England last month.

O'Neill was sufficiently impressed with the 19-year-old to bring him along with the senior squad to Spain for a pair of friendlies in June. Although Charles did not win a first cap, O'Neill cited his ability on the ball as a major attribute to his game.

"Pierce is one of those goalkeepers that everyone is looking for in the modern game," O'Neill said before those friendlies.

"He's got great distribution, real composure with the ball at his feet and we know at Sheffield Wednesday they really regard him highly."

He has, however, been on the bench at Hillsborough with England Under-21 international James Beadle having been handed the number one jersey after his arrival from Brighton and Hove Albion on a season-long loan deal.

In a similar position at his club is Luke Southwood, the 26-year-old who was on the bench against Luxembourg and Bulgaria last month in Hazard's absence.

The Bolton Wanderers man, who won his sole cap in a 3-1 friendly win over Luxembourg in 2022, did start the 2-2 draw with Shrewsbury Town for his League One side last weekend but has spent the majority of the season behind Nathan Baxter.

O'Neill has consistently stressed a desire for his international players to be regularly playing at as high a level possible at their clubs.

Yet, before two important fixtures for his side, he is left with a decision between two keepers with precious few minutes in league action this season.

Northern Ireland are adjusting to life without Manchester United defender Jonny Evans, who called time on his international career last month. And the keeper who gets the nod will find their task made no easier by the absence of centre-back Dan Ballard through injury.

And yet should either impress in this unexpected opportunity, after Peacock-Farrell's recent struggles for club and country, it just might give O'Neill something to think about moving towards next year's World Cup qualifiers.