Michael O'Neill says Sunderland's Dan Ballard is gaining to right experience to help head a new generation of leaders within the Northern Ireland squad as they look to a future when the stalwarts of the last decade are no longer around.
O'Neill on Tuesday named his first squad since returning to the job in December, and was forced to select a relatively inexperienced group with the likes of Steven Davis, Stuart Dallas, Corry Evans, Liam Boyce, Ali McCann, and Shayne Lavery out injured.
Jonny Evans is included, but it remains uncertain what role he will be able to play in the opening Euro 2024 qualifier away to San Marino on March 23 and the home match against Finland that follows, as the 100-cap defender has not featured for Leicester since November due to calf and thigh problems.
