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Bradford's Rory McArdle added to injury-hit Northern Ireland squad

Image: Bradford's Rory McArdle has been called up by Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland have added Bradford City defender Rory McArdle to their squad for the decisive European Qualifiers against Greece and Finland.

Michael O'Neill's side are within touching distance of a first major tournament in 30 years, but have been disrupted by fitness problems in defence.

West Brom centre-half Jonny Evans has remained with his club having suffered a hamstring problem against Crystal Palace and looks unlikely to be available to face Greece on Thursday.

Club colleague Gareth McAuley is also short of full fitness having played through pain in the same fixture.

With right-back Conor McLaughlin and Chris Baird suspended, as well as top-scorer Kyle Lafferty, O'Neill has summoned Bradford's McArdle, who has seven caps to his name.

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He joins Doncaster's Luke McCullough and MK Dons midfielder Ben Reeves, who received call-ups on Sunday.

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Watch Northern Ireland take on Greece on Thursday - coverage starts on Sky Sports 5 HD at 7.30pm.

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