Defenders Daniel Ballard and Brodie Spencer will both miss Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Germany next month, it was officially confirmed today.
But Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill has bolstered his squad by bringing in Motherwell defender Kofi Balmer and two new faces in AFC Wimbledon centre back Ryan Johnson and midfielder Jamie McDonnell, who is currently on loan at Mansfield Town from Nottingham Forest.
Sunderland defender Ballard (25) was forced off early with a groin problem in the Black Cats’ Premier League game against Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.
Oxford United defender Spencer (21) suffered an injury in his team’s Carabao Cup second round tie against Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday.
Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris confirmed Ballard’s injury is not a long-term concern.
"It's not too serious so we expect him to be out for two to three weeks," he told Sunderland’s website.
It is not yet known how long Spencer will be on the sidelines, however his club have confirmed he will not be fit to face either Luxembourg or Germany.
Former Glentoran youth McDonnell (pictured) joined Nottingham Forest in 2020 and signed a professional deal with them in February 2021. The 21-year-old had a successful loan spell at Colchester United last season and is currently on a season-long loan with League One side Mansfield. McDonnell has previously represented his country at Under-17 and U21 level.
Johnson (28) began his career in the youth academy at West Bromwich Albion before moving to Stevenage. He then spent a couple of years in non-league football before returning to league football with Port Vale in 2022.
After a spell with Stockport County he signed for current club AFC Wimbledon in June 2023.
He helped AFC Wimbledon to promotion to League One via the play-offs last season. The centre back is a former Northern Ireland U21 international, scoring twice in 13 appearances.
Balmer, who turns 25 next month, is also uncapped at senior level for his country, although he has been an unused substitute on six occasions. He also played 20 times for Northern Ireland’s U21s.
The former Ballymena United and Larne player moved to Crystal Palace in the summer of 2022. During his time with the London club he went out on loan to both Port Vale and AFC Wimbledon. He moved to the Scottish Premiership with Motherwell in July 2024.
Northern Ireland will begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification campaign with a game against Luxembourg at Stade de Luxembourg next Thursday (4 September) at 7.45pm BST.
Their second game in Group A of the European qualifiers will see them take on Germany at the Rhein-Energie-Stadion in Koln (Cologne) on Sunday 7 September (7.45pm BST).
