McNair among returning NI players for Nations League

Paddy McNair and Shayne Lavery are among the players restored to the Northern Ireland squad for next month's Uefa Nations League double-header.

Experienced defender McNair, who joined West Brom on loan this summer from San Diego FC, is back after missing the summer friendlies against Spain and Andorra.

Striker Lavery also returns on the back of signing for Cambridge United this summer.

Also returning are goalkeeper Luke Southwood and midfielders Brad Lyons, Ali McCann and George Saville.

Lyons' last international appearance came against Slovenia a year ago but the Kilmarnock player is fit again after having missed out on the last three squads through injury.

Manager Michael O'Neill's squad announcement comes less than a day after Manchester United defender Jonny Evans announced his international retirement.

Following Evans' retirement, McNair and Exeter City striker Josh Magennis are the only members of the squad named on Thursday who were part of Northern Ireland's Euro 2016 campaign.

In addition to Evans' absence, several players who were in the summer squad are missing, including Stevenage striker Jamie Reid and St Mirren winger Conor McMenamin, while Dale Taylor, Aaron Donnelly and Pierce Charles have switched to the Under-21 squad.

Corry Evans, who returned from a lengthy injury layoff in June, is not included as the 34-year-old searches for a new club.

Northern Ireland open their Nations League campaign at home to Luxembourg on 5 September before facing Bulgaria away three days later.

Goalkeepers: Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Birmingham City), Conor Hazard (Plymouth Argyle), Luke Southwood (Bolton Wanderers).

Defenders: Paddy McNair (West Bromwich Albion, on loan from San Diego FC), Jamal Lewis (Newcastle United), Daniel Ballard (Sunderland), Ciaron Brown (Oxford United), Trai Hume (Sunderland), Brodie Spencer (Huddersfield Town), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers),

Midfielders: George Saville (Millwall), Jordan Thompson (Stoke City), Alistair McCann (Preston North End), Conor Bradley (Liverpool), Shea Charles (Sheffield Wednesday, on loan from Southampton), Isaac Price (Standard Liege), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers), Ethan Galbraith (Leyton Orient), Ross McCausland (Rangers), Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock), Caolan Boyd-Munce (St Mirren).

Forwards: Josh Magennis (Exeter City), Dion Charles (Bolton Wanderers), Shayne Lavery (Cambridge United), Callum Marshall (Huddersfield Town, on loan from West Ham United).