Guinea vs Northern Ireland: Michael O’Neill reports a clean bill of health for the friendly

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has given a clean bill of health to his squad as they begin preparations for Thursday’s friendly international against Guinea in Cadiz, Spain (17:00 BST).

O’Neill’s side face World Cup-bound France in another friendly on the outskirts of Lille on Monday 8 June (20:10 BST).

The NI boss confirmed on Monday that all 23 members of his panel have arrived in camp ahead of the two matches.

The first game against Guinea will take place at the Estadio Ciudad de la Linea, meeting the French at the Decathlon Arena.

D The squad for the double header has been selected Uncapped teenagers include Brayden Graham and Sidach O’Neal.

O’Neill must plan without a number of players, including Dan Ballard, Paddy McNair, Terry Devlin, Eoin Toll, George Saville and Brad Lyons.

The games will serve as preparation for Northern Ireland’s Nations League campaign, which begins in September.

“We’ve got all the players into camp fit and well, which is what you want ahead of an important international window,” O’Neill said. Signed an extension to his contract Last week he was put in charge until 2032.

“The mood within the squad is already very positive, and there is a real sense of optimism as we prepare for the games against Guinea and France.

“The players are looking forward to getting back on the pitch together and testing themselves in two different but valuable fixtures. Our focus now is to maximize our training time and ensure we are ready to perform well in both matches.”

Northern Ireland Squad:

goalkeeper- Piers Charles (Sheffield Wednesday), Josh Clark (Partick Thistle), Luke Southwood (Bristol Rovers).

defender – Ciaran Brown and Brodie Spencer (both Oxford United), Trae Hume (Sunderland), Ruairi McConville (Norwich City), Tom Atcheson (Blackburn Rovers).

Midfielder- Alastair McCann (Preston North End), Shea Charles (Southampton), Isaac Price (West Bromwich Albion), Paul Smith (Queens Park Rangers), Ethan Galbraith (Swansea City), Justin Deveney (Crystal Palace), Jamie McDonnell (Oxford United), Patrick Burleson Kipley (Oxford United).

forward – Josh Magennis (Exeter City), Callum Marshall (West Ham United), Jamie Reid (Stevenage), Jamie Donnelly (Tottenham Hotspur), Brayden Graham (Everton), Sidach O’Neill (Arsenal).