Thursday 27 August 2015 09:03, UK
Jonny Evans, Kyle Lafferty, Chris Brunt and Jamie Ward have been included in the Northern Ireland squad for the crucial European Qualifying double-header against Faroe Islands and Hungary.
Northern Ireland can qualify for their first European Championship finals if they win both games and Hungary fail to beat Romania.
Centre-back Evans has not played for Manchester United this season amid transfer speculation while Norwich striker Lafferty has just returned to full training following a knee injury.
West Bromwich Albion midfielder Brunt is named despite limping off during their Capital One Cup game against Port Vale on Tuesday, and Nottingham Forest forward Ward will be given every chance to prove his fitness after sustaining a hamstring injury.
"Jonny is capable of stepping into big games having been out of the team," Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill told Sky Sports News HQ.
"The lack of game time is a concern for us but he will know himself how he's feeling. The situation is far from ideal but I know he'll come ready to play."
O'Neill also confirmed he is waiting on a fitness report on Brunt.
Asked about the uncertain club futures of Evans and Lafferty, he said: "The best outcome for Northern Ireland is that they are playing first-team football.
"A player must do what is right for them. In Jonny's case he is capable of playing at a top Premier League club and if he does leave United I hope he gets that opportunity.
"With Kyle, I'd love to see him settle at a club because he deserves the opportunity. His name is up there with the top scorers in Euro Qualifying."
O'Neill will not be taking anything for granted against the Faroes, who have beaten Greece twice in this campaign.
"We're treating this game as if we are playing Germany," he said.
"I visited the place myself three weeks ago to look at everything. There is no danger of us underestimating them.
"We're in a healthy situation. We're confident we can qualify automatically but we need to maintain the level of our previous six games.
"We have a settled team, the discipline is very good with only eight bookings so far, we've not had to deal with suspensions or injuries."
Squad: Carroll, Mannus, McGovern, Hughes, Baird, McAuley, J Evans, Cathcart, Ferguson, Hodson, McLaughlin, McNair, Davis, Brunt, C Evans, Norwood, McCourt, Dallas, Reeves, Lafferty, McGinn, Ward, Magennis, Grigg, Boyce, Lavery.
