Both Northern Ireland and Wales will have strong squads to choose from for tonight’s friendly in Cardiff.
Four players have departed from the Northern Ireland squad due to injury and the Welsh have two players on the crocked list ahead of the international challenge match at Cardiff City Stadium (7.45pm kick-off).
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill revealed Preston North End midfielder Ali McCann has returned to his club for further treatment on the ankle injury which kept him out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final play-off against Italy in Bergamo on Thursday.
He also said Hull City defender Paddy McNair and Norwich City defender Ruairi McConville picked up knocks in the defeat to the Italians in the European Qualifiers Path A encounter and have gone back to their clubs for treatment.
And he revealed Blackpool goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell had a back issue coming in to this international window and is not available for the game against the Welsh.
Wales, who lost their European Path A World Cup last four play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties, will be without Jordan James and Rubin Colwill for the game in Cardiff.
Leicester City midfielder James limped off during the match against the Bosnians at Cardiff City Stadium, while Cardiff City midfielder Colwill did not make the matchday squad last Thursday due to a hamstring problem. Both have returned to their clubs for medical assessments.
Northern Ireland boss O’Neill and Cymru manager Craig Bellamy have promised the friendly in Cardiff will not be taken lightly.
O’Neill said it would provide an opportunity to keep the squad moving forward and to build on the progress that has been made over the past couple of years.
He also insisted Wales are “a good team” and he is expecting a tough match at the Cardiff City Stadium. And the manager said he is confident his players will give a good account of themselves against the Welsh.
O’Neill further pointed out that he has a strong squad at his disposal despite the four withdrawals.
Bellamy said he wanted his team to put their World Cup heartache to one side when they face Northern Ireland.
He added that he expects Cymru to give a good account of themselves against opponents 35 places below them in the FIFA Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking; Wales are currently ranked 37th compared to Northern Ireland in 71st place.
Northern Ireland will have friendlies in June before their UEFA Nations League campaign begins in September with matches against Georgia, Hungary and Ukraine in League B.
Crystal Palace defender/midfielder Justin Devenny joined O’Neill at yesterday’s pre-match press conference.
He said the players had drawn a line under the Italy game.
Devenny explained: "For us, it's just about trying to get that momentum, get that positivity within the squad and then just try and build from there.
"You don't get much time together at international level, and the times in between can feel like a really long time. So we're hopeful of ending it on a high."
He revealed the players have been supportive of each other following the defeat to the Italians.
He pointed out: "We help pick each other up, and that's what defines a good group. I think it's important to have that kind of community where everyone is looking out for each other."
