The Evans brothers make their return to the international team after they both pulled out of last month’s qualifiers through injury.

Preston North End midfielder Ali McCann, who also missed October’s double-header against Switzerland and Bulgaria through injury, has returned to the fold, too.

Manchester United’s Ethan Galbraith, who has been captaining the U21s, has been called up to the senior side once again after an impressive start to life on loan at Doncaster Rovers.

Blackpool forward Shayne Lavery, however, is among those who are yet to return to the side, missing out through injury.

The Northern Ireland senior men’s team boss has given a first senior call-up to young Nottingham Forest striker Dale Taylor, who has previously played extensively at underage level for his country.

Reading goalkeeper Luke Southwood will join a Northern Irish set-up for the first time in his career.

Qualification is not a possibility for Ian Baraclough and co. but strong results and a Bulgarian defeat to Switzerland will see them finish third, despite their loss to Yasen Petrov’s side.

Northern Ireland squad for November Internationals

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The Leicester star has been included in the national team’s squad to face Lithuania, Estonia and Switzerland.

The news comes after Brendan Rodgers said that the 33-year-old’s situation would be reassessed after the international break.

“It’s just ongoing with Jonny and the injury,” Rodgers said. “We said we would see where he’s at after the international break. He’s not near to playing as of yet.”

Evans has not played a game for City since aggravating up an injury in the 2021 FA Cup final against Chelsea.

The Northern Irish centre-half has been struggling with a foot problem for several months and initially pulled up on it in a Premier League game against Newcastle United but was passed fit for the cup final.

Baraclough has vowed not to risk the defender’s long-term fitness during the September international break.

“Jonny is definitely going to be a doubt but I wasn’t going to name the squad without him if there was a small chance he was going to be involved,” said the boss. “He hasn’t started training with Leicester yet so it is a big ask for him to be involved but through conversations with him and Brendan, we all know the situation.

“We hope that we see him back fit and playing. We’d like to have him among our ranks, Leicester certainly would like him to be involved in their campaign so fingers crossed, but it is a doubt, I have to say.”

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