Northern Ireland Schools Under 18 manager Frankie Wilson has added Irish League ace Richard Clarke to his backroom team ahead of this year's Centenary Shield.
The competition kicks off in March and will see Northern Ireland defend the title they won in 2019.
The Shield returns in 2022 after being impacted on by the coronavirus pandemic.
Northern Ireland will kick-off their preparations with a two-game tour to Jersey, and Wilson believes the trip will be vital preparation for his young side.
And he believes the addition of Ballinamallard United captain Clarke is a significant boost.
Wilson said: "Games against Jersey are very useful as they give the boys their first taste of international football and are ideal preparation for the Centenary Shield campaign.
"It is a long season and I have invited Richard Clarke to join the coaching team.
"He played in the Centenary Shield in 2003 and 2004 before gaining international honours at Under 21 level and he will be able to pass on that knowledge to the team.
"He is vastly experienced and has won many honours including two Irish League titles and the Irish Cup in a distinguished playing career with Omagh Town, Newry City, Glentoran, Crusaders and Ballinamallard United."
In the Centenary Shield Northern Ireland will be away to Scotland on March 3 before home matches against Wales and England at The Blanchflower Stadium on March 10 and 25 respectively.
They will complete their series away to the Republic of Ireland on March 31.
NI squad
- Rian Brown - Ashfield
- Alex Henderson - North West Regional College
- Ryan McKay - Breda Academy
- Ewan McCoubrey - Breda Academy
- Lewis Tosh - North West Regional College
- Malachy Burns - St Malachy's College
- Max Greer - Larne High School
- Oscar McKenna - Our Lady & St Patrick's College
- Aidan Kelly - St Malachy's College
- Odhran McCart - Larne High School
- Donal Scullion - St Colman's Newry
- Jack Montgomery - Breda Academy
- Jack McFeely - St Columb's College
- Patrick McLaughlin - Lumen Christi College
- Caolan Donnelly - Larne High School
- Luke McGreevey - RBAI
- Patrick Kelly - Loreto College
- Liam McStravick - Edmund Rice College
