Northern Ireland U19 boss Gerard Lyttle has named seven Irish League players in his squad for next month’s friendlies in Malta.
Highly-rated Coleraine midfielder Patrick Kelly, Warrenpoint Town goalkeeper Stephen McMullan and Portadown pair Reece Jordan and Sam Glenfield are all included.
As are Glentoran’s Aaron Wightman, who has made five appearances for the Ovalmen, Ryan Donnelly (Dungannon Swifts) and Conor Scannell (Glenavon).
Read more: Linfield boss David Healy agrees new contract with "leader and winner" Jimmy Callacher
Also included in the 21-strong panel are Jamie McDonnell, who skippered Nottingham Forest in this month’s Youth Cup final, and promising Derby County midfielder Darren Robinson.
Robinson, Michael Forbes (West Ham United), Ruairi McConville (Brighton and Hove Albion) and Brodie Spencer (Huddersfield Town) all attended last week’s senior training camp at St George’s Park.
Lyttle is using the friendlies with Malta - which will be played in Ta’Qali on June 8 and 10 - as preparation for this Autumn’s Euro qualifiers.
A number of changes have been made to the squad that played in a Federations Cup tournament in Spain back in March.
Coming in are Stoke City defender Josh Roney, who was injured in March, and Sheffield Wednesday keeper Pierce Charles who steps up from the U17s.
Also new to the set-up are Derry City defender Daithi McCallion and Ports midfielder Glenfield, who both previously played for the U17s, and Dungannon striker Donnelly.
Missing out this time are the likes of young Everton goalkeeper Dylan Graham, Birmingham City defender Tommy Fogarty and Aston Villa forward Omari Kellyman.
Northern Ireland’s qualifying group for the U19 Euros will be played in September, hosted by the Netherlands, with Slovenia and Moldova making up the four team pool.
Gerard Lyttle’s squad for the forthcoming Malta friendlies is as follows..
GOALKEEPERS
Pierce Charles (Sheffield Wednesday), Stephen McMullan (Warrenpoint Town).
DEFENDERS
Ruairi McConville (Brighton and Hove Albion), Michael Forbes (West Ham United), Josh Roney (Stoke City), Daithi McCallion (Derry City), Matthew Carson (Southampton), Reece Jordan (Portadown), Brodie Spencer (Huddersfield Town).
MIDFIELDERS
Charlie Lindsay (Rangers), Jamie McDonnell (Nottingham Forest), Darren Robinson (Derby County), Aaron Wightman (Glentoran), Sam Glenfield (Portadown),Callum Wilson (unattached).
FORWARDS
Ryan Donnelly (Dungannon Swifts), Callum Marshall (West Ham United), Conor Scannell (Glenavon), Makenzie Kirk (Hearts), Patrick Kelly (Coleraine), Conor Falls (Huddersfield Town).
Read more: Drogheda United condemn alleged racist abuse of former Linfield player
Read more: Ally McCoist issues Steven Davis appeal after midfielder helps Rangers lift Scottish Cup
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
