Euro 2016 qualifier: NI's Steven Davis misses Romania game

Steven Davis has scored seven goals in 51 Northern Ireland appearances

Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis is out of Friday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Romania in Bucharest.

Jamie Ward and Ryan McLaughlin were already ruled out and Davis's absence because of a hamstring injury is a major blow to manager Michael O'Neill.

Midfielder Davis sustained the injury in Southampton's win over Leicester City last weekend.

Oldham midfielder Carl Winchester and Rochdale's Matty Lund were drafted into the squad by O'Neill on Tuesday.

Lund, receiving his first call-up, and Winchester, who won his only senior cap in 2011, were replacements for injured duo Ward [thigh] and McLaughlin [groin].

Davis did link up with the Northern Ireland squad on Tuesday evening but was ruled out of the game on Wednesday morning after being assessed by the team's medical staff.

Stand-by player Stuart Dallas was ruled out by "fitness problems" on Tuesday.

Boss O'Neill is also without injured duo Jonny Evans and Shane Ferguson while Aaron Hughes is also rated doubtful.

Manchester United defender Paddy McNair was the only uncapped player named in the squad last week.

Northern Ireland have made a magnificent start to the qualifying campaign, winning their opening three games for the first time.

They lead Group F and are two points ahead of the second-placed Romanians.

West Brom midfielder Chris Brunt returns to the squad after missing the games against Greece and the Faroe Islands, but Hull defender Alex Bruce has a hamstring injury.

Northern Ireland squad: Goalkeepers: R Carroll (Notts County), A Mannus (St Johnstone), M McGovern (Hamilton Academical).

Defenders: A Hughes (Brighton), C Baird (West Bromwich Albion), G McAuley (West Bromwich Albion), R McGivern (Port Vale), C Cathcart (Watford), C McLaughlin (Fleetwood Town), L McCullough (Doncaster Rovers), P McNair (Manchester United).

Midfielders: C Brunt (West Bromwich Albion), S Clingan (Kilmarnock), C Evans (Blackburn Rovers), O Norwood (Reading), B Reeves (MK Dons), P McCourt (Brighton), N McGinn (Aberdeen), C Winchester (Oldham Athletic), M Lund (Rochdale)

Strikers: K Lafferty (Norwich City), J Magennis (Kilmarnock), B McKay (Inverness Caledonian Thistle), W Grigg (MK Dons).