Euro 2024 qualifiers: Conor McMenamin ruled out of Northern Ireland's opening games
- Published
Watch: 'We need to put points on the board' - NI manager Michael O'Neill
Euro 2024 Group H qualifier - San Marino v Northern Ireland |
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Venue: San Marino Stadium, Serravalle Date: Thursday, 23 March Kick-off: 19:45 GMT |
Coverage: Live text commentary and match report on the BBC Sport website; live commentary on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Ulster and Radio Foyle; Match highlights on BBC Two NI at 23:15 GMT and live and on demand on BBC iPlayer |
Conor McMenamin has been ruled out of Northern Ireland's opening two Euro 2024 qualifiers against San Marino and Finland because of a calf injury.
Glentoran winger McMenamin withdrew from the squad after undergoing a scan.
Injury doubt Conor Washington travelled with the squad and trained in San Marino on Wednesday.
Northern Ireland, who face a trip to San Marino on Thursday before hosting Finland on Sunday, are also without injured defender Jonny Evans.
The Leicester City player withdrew from the squad on Monday.
"We lost Jonny and that was a blow to us," said NI manager Michael O'Neill.
"We have to deal with that. We had a doubt about Conor Washington, who's come through a fitness test today.
With captain Steven Davis already ruled out, O'Neill confirmed Craig Cathcart will lead Northern Ireland in the trip to San Marino and Sunday's match against Finland at Windsor Park.
Stuart Dallas, Ali McCann, Shayne Lavery and Corry Evans are also on the injured list, but O'Neill says he has been encouraged by what he has seen from the younger players in training.
"We're down some senior players, there's no doubt about that," added O'Neill, who was reappointed in December following Ian Baraclough's departure.
"But it's an opportunity for some of the younger players and I've been enthused by what I've seen.
"It is a big step for some of them, if we ask them to start the game, so we have to be mindful of what we're asking of the younger players as well."
Conor McMenamin made his Northern Ireland debut against Cyprus last June
The former Stoke City manager has four uncapped players in his squad in Sean Goss, Cameron McGeehan, Eoin Toal and Isaac Price.
"It's been great. I'm getting to know these young lads," said the 53-year-old, who hopes to lead Northern Ireland to a second major tournament after qualifying for Euro 2016 during his first spell in charge.
"They were very young lads when I was last in this position and it's great to see them here now, the likes of Conor Bradley, Isaac Price, Dale Taylor, they were all under-15 or under-16 at the time.
"Now they're here with the senior squad, it's a positive thing for us to see that development."