New York player Jonny Steele called into N Ireland squad

New York Red Bulls midfielder Jonny Steele has been given his first call-up to Northern Ireland's squad for Friday's friendly away to Turkey.

With several players ruled out, Michael O'Neill summoned the 28-year-old into the panel for the game in Adana.

Steele, who is from Larne, has played for a number of clubs in the United States and joined New York's Major League side in February 2013.

NI men Kyle Lafferty, Corry Evans and Craig Cathcart miss the game.

Palermo striker Lafferty is unavailable as his wife is due to give birth on the day of the game while midfielder Evans and defender Cathcart are injured.

It was originally thought Steele would miss out on a maiden call-up because of club commitments.

Manager O'Neill had emphasised that Steele was part of his plans and that he had discussed the player's progress with Bulls technical director Andy Roxburgh.

"Jonny is one of those players who has developed later in his career and it's good to have him on board," said O'Neill.

O'Neill's panel includes key players Jonny Evans, Aaron Hughes and Gareth McAuley.

Manchester United defender Evans has been battling back trouble and will be suspended for the start of Euro 2016 qualifying, but has been named in the 20-strong party.

The presence of McAuley and Hughes is encouraging given both men have an uncertain international future.

O'Neill has said in the past that he would speak to the pair, who both turn 34 before the end of the year, about deferring any retirement plans.

By agreeing to make the journey to Adana for the 15 November friendly, they are giving the right signals.

Just two goalkeepers have been included, with St Johnstone's Alan Mannus and Olympiakos' Roy Carroll both likely to see some game time.

Paddy McCourt is not included with O'Neill saying the Barnsley winger needed more game time.

Turkey finished fourth in World Cup qualifying Group D behind the Netherlands, Romania and Hungary.

The Turks, managed by Fatih Terim, won five, drew one and lost four of their qualifiers and lie 40th in the Fifa world rankings, 50 places above Northern Ireland.

O'Neill's side ended up fifth in Group F after winning one game.

Northern Ireland squad:

Goalkeepers: Roy Carroll (Olympiakos), Alan Mannus (St Johnstone)

Defenders: Gareth McAuley (West Brom), Jonny Evans (Manchester United), Lee Hodson (MK Dons), Daniel Lafferty (Burnley), Rory McArdle (Bradford City), Aaron Hughes (Fulham)

Midfielders: Chris Baird (Reading), Steven Davis (Southampton), Oliver Norwood (Huddersfield Town). Shane Ferguson (Newcastle United - loan at Birmingham City), Chris Brunt (West Brom), Sammy Clingan (Kilmarnock), Michael O'Connor (Rotherham United), Steele (New York Bulls).

Forwards: Billy McKay (Inverness), Martin Paterson (Huddersfield), Jamie Ward (Derby), Niall McGinn (Aberdeen), Will Grigg (Brentford).