Ballard included in NI squad as Morrison called up

Dan Ballard was forced off with a hamstring concern in the second half of Sunderland's defeat by Brighton on Saturday Sunderland defender Dan Ballard has been included in Northern Ireland's squad for the World Cup play-off semi-final in Italy despite a hamstring issue. Ballard, 26, was forced off in the second half of the Premier League defeat by Brighton on Saturday. Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill, who is also managing Blackburn Rovers for the remainder of the season, is boosted by the return of the Charles brothers, goalkeeper Pierce and midfielder Shea, in his extended 28-man squad. Preston midfielder Ali McCann and versatile Oxford United defender Brodie Spencer also return after missing November's final qualifiers. Key defender Conor Bradley is sidelined with a knee injury sustained while playing for Liverpool in January, however there is a first call up for his club team-mate Kieran Morrison. The 19-year-old has featured in the FA Cup and EFL Cup for Arne Slot's side this season and is a Northern Ireland underage international. Defenders Jamal Lewis and Ryan Johnson drop out of the squad, and there is no place for winger Ross McCausland. Northern Ireland face Italy in Bergamo on Thursday, 26 March and the winner will travel to Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina in the play-off final on 31 March. The winner of the play-off will be in Group B for the World Cup with co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Qatar. Goalkeepers: Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Blackpool, on loan from Birmingham City), Conor Hazard (Plymouth Argyle), Pierce Charles (Sheffield Wednesday), Josh Clarke (Partick Thistle). Defenders: Paddy McNair (Hull City, on loan from San Diego), Dan Ballard (Sunderland), Ciaron Brown (Oxford United), Trai Hume (Sunderland), Brodie Spencer (Oxford United), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers), Ruairi McConville (Norwich City), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth). Midfielders: George Saville (Luton Town), Ali McCann (Preston), Shea Charles (Southampton), Isaac Price (West Brom), Paul Smyth (Queen's Park Rangers), Ethan Galbraith (Swansea City), Justin Devenny (Crystal Palace), Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock), Jamie Donley (Oxford United, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Jamie McDonnell (Oxford United), Patrick Kelly (Barnsley), Kieran Morrison (Liverpool). Forwards: Josh Magennis (Exeter City), Dion Charles (Huddersfield Town), Callum Marshall (VfL Bochum, on loan from West Ham), Jamie Reid (Stevenage). Kieran Morrison featured in Liverpool's FA Cup win at Wolves earlier in March Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris said Ballard was taken off as a precaution in the loss to Brighton, but it will not have stopped Northern Ireland fans sweating over his fitness for the play-off in Italy. O'Neill only has four players who play in the Premier League at his disposal and, already without Bradley, it would be a huge blow if Ballard was to be ruled out. Morrison has yet to make his Premier League debut for Liverpool, but has been a regular in matchday squads and has been in impressive form for the Reds' Under-23s side. The winger made his senior Liverpool debut in the EFL Cup defeat by Crystal Palace in November, and was also featured in the FA Cup win over Wolves. He has also been an unused substitute on nine occasions for Liverpool this season, including in Tuesday's Champions League tie at Galatasaray. He is an exciting prospect with 13 goals in 17 appearances this season for Liverpool's Under-21s. With more club fixtures to come before the squad meet up ahead of the play-off, O'Neill will be hoping his key men come through unscathed. We have to wake up - Szoboszlai warning sums up Liverpool plight 'Players is special but not a major and never likely to be' 'Best racing ever' or 'a joke'? The row over the new F1 Oscar-nominated Frankenstein and more movies that made Guillermo del Toro Celebrated actor Jessie Buckley picks her Desert Island Discs A new spin on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Behind the making of one of Hollywood's most quotable films Is Donley ready to fill NI's 'problem position'? What is Northern Ireland's record against Italy? 'Now feels like the right time to start family' 'We're not Johnny' - Prendergast forging own path 'Players is special but not a major and never likely to be' Six talking points from final round of Six Nations Norrie replaces Draper as British number one - but for how long? Spurs answer Tudor's call with show of fight in the face of crisis 'Best racing ever' or 'a joke'? The row over the new F1 Aberg & Fitzpatrick falter as Young becomes Players champion. Video Aberg & Fitzpatrick falter as Young becomes Players champion Have Old Firm wrestled title momentum away from Hearts? Fernandes is a joy to watch - Rooney. Video Fernandes is a joy to watch - Rooney A finale worthy of the greatest Six Nations in history Why GB are 'positive' despite just one medal at Winter Paralympics What next for Dowman - how do you look after a precious talent? Should the Winter Paralympics be moved? Gordon hits back at 'complete nonsense' from Rooney and Shearer Brentford, the World Cup and an itch to return to Gaelic football They were told it wasn't for girls, but these could be the future faces of F1 Jason Tindall - the most misunderstood man in football? Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.