Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough says he regrets but respects Liam Boyce’s decision to make himself unavailable for international selection.
Boyce, who won the last of his 28 caps against Malta in May, hasn’t been part of the national squad for family reasons for the entirety of the current season.
The Hearts striker has sat out the national team’s last seven fixtures and will be missing once again for this month’s friendlies with Luxembourg and Hungary.
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It is a blow for Baraclough not to have the 30-year-old former Cliftonville forward, who has scored 15 goals in 31 games for his club this season, at his disposal.
But he insists he has enough firepower in Shayne Lavery, Josh Magennis, Gavin Whyte and Dion Charles who are all part of his 25-man squad.
“It’s his choice,” said Baraclough.
“When I last spoke to Liam I said I won't close the door on him, but he has made a choice that he wants to spend a bit of time with the family or concentrate on club issues.
“Boycie could be hitting 20 goals this season and to not have someone like that to select for Northern Ireland is going to disappoint everybody.
“But I do totally respect the decision. We have had good conversations and it is something he feels he needs to do at the moment.
“I concentrate on those that are available and I think the strikers we have chosen are in good form and hopefully they can come in and show that.”
Many predicted that in-form Kilmarnock striker Kyle Lafferty might make a return to the squad, while Glentoran’s Jay Donnelly had also been linked with a call-up.
But Baraclough, who recently watched Lafferty in action for Killie, said: “I don't feel they are ahead of the strikers we have selected at the moment.
“It is pleasing to see Kyle come back and play games with Kilmarnock, but I think the strikers we have gone with are ahead of those mentioned.”
Northern Ireland travel to play Luxembourg on March 25 before welcoming Hungary to Windsor Park on March 29.
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