Northern Ireland: Evans, Ferguson and Dallas back in squad

Jonny Evans made his senior NI debut against Spain in 2006

Jonny Evans, Shane Ferguson and Stuart Dallas return to the Northern Ireland squad for the games against Scotland and Finland later this month.

The trio missed the Euro 2016 qualifier defeat by Romania in Bucharest in November because of injury.

Manchester United's Paddy McNair is the only uncapped player in the 27-man squad, while Ryan McGivern is omitted.

NI face the Scots in a Glasgow friendly on 25 March before hosting Finland in a Euro qualifier four days later.

Manchester United defender Evans is currently serving a six-match domestic suspension for spitting in an incident with Newcastle United's Papiss Cisse.

Newcastle's Shane Ferguson, who can play in midfielder or defence, and Brentford winger Dallas are also recalled after being sidelined for the 2-0 defeat by Group F leaders Romania.

McNair received his first call-up to the Northern Ireland squad for that game but was an unused substitute.

Michael O'Neill's side won their opening three qualifiers before the Bucharest defeat and sit second in the group, a point behind the Romanians.

The games against the Scots at Hampden Park will be used a warm-up ahead of the meeting with Finland in Belfast.

The Finns sit fourth and five points behind Northern Ireland after winning just one of their four qualifiers.

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), J Evans (Manchester United), C Cathcart (Watford), S Ferguson (Newcastle United) C McLaughlin (Fleetwood Town), L McCullough (Doncaster Rovers), P McNair (Manchester United).

Midfielders: S Davis (Southampton), C Brunt (West Bromwich Albion), S Clingan (Kilmarnock), C Evans (Blackburn Rovers), O Norwood (Reading), R McLaughlin (Liverpool), B Reeves (MK Dons), P McCourt (Brighton), S Dallas (Brentford).

Forwards: K Lafferty (Norwich City), N McGinn (Aberdeen), J Ward (Derby County), J Magennis (Kilmarnock), B McKay (Wigan Athletic), Will Grigg (MK Dons).