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Gareth Fullerton

Bournemouth teenager Marcus Daws an interesting addition to Northern Ireland set-up

Bournemouth teenager Marcus Daws is an interesting newcomer to Northern Ireland's international set-up.

The 18-year-old winger - who can also operate as a number 10 - has been included in John Schofield's Under 21 squad for their final two Euro 2023 qualifiers.

Northern Ireland host Spain on Friday at Inver Park (1pm kick-off) before rounding off their campaign against Lithuania in Alytus next Tuesday (6pm UK time).

Read more: Conor Washington hails "frightening" ability of Shea Charles and NI's other young guns

Daws has been introduced to Northern Ireland for the first time and is one of several changes made by Schofield for the upcoming double-header.

The winger - who predominantly plays on the left flank - qualifies for both England and Northern Ireland and has been mainly featuring for Bounemouth Under 18s this season, but did train with Scott Parker's first-team during the first part of the 2021/22 season.

He is one of eight changes made from the squad involved in the 2-1 defeat to Slovakia and 5-0 friendly loss to France back in March.

Manchester United goalkeeper Dermot Mee is back in the panel after he was part of the senior training camp in England earlier this month.

Leeds United midfielder Charlie Allen and Charlton Athletic midfielder Euan Williams have been promoted from the Under 19s.

Ards midfielder/striker Calvin McCurry returns after missing out last time through injury, while Fleetwood Town midfielder Dylan Boyle is back as well.

Rangers striker Ross McCausland, Rotherham United forward Ciaran McGuckin and Dungannon Swifts midfielder Terry Devlin all retain their places in the squad having stepped up from the U19s for the games for March's double-header.

Spain have already qualified for next year's finals in Georgia and Romania after recording a perfect record of six wins from six games so far.

That included a 3-0 victory over Northern Ireland last October in Seville.

One of Northern Ireland's two wins in the group came against Lithuania when they won 4-0 at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

N Ireland squad

Goalkeepers : Dermot Mee (Manchester United), David Walsh (Linfield).

Defenders : Aaron Donnelly (Nottingham Forest), Jack Scott (St Patrick’s Athletic, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers), Sam McClelland (Chelsea), Kofi Balmer (Larne), Oisin Smyth (Oxford United), Sean Stewart (Norwich City).

Midfielders : Ethan Galbraith (Manchester United), Terry Devlin (Dungannon Swifts), Dylan Boyle (Fleetwood Town), Charlie Allen (Leeds United), Calvin McCurry (Ards), Marcus Daws (Bournemouth), Euan Williams (Charlton Athletic).

Forwards : Barry Baggley (Fleetwood Town), Chris McKee (Linfield), Dale Taylor (Nottingham Forest), Ross McCausland (Rangers), John McGovern (Newry City), Ciaran McGuckin (Rotherham United).

Read more: Belfast author charts Northern Ireland's 'magical' adventure at 1982 World Cup

Read more: NI boss delivers 'envious' message to Rangers as Steven Davis weighs up future

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