Michael O’Neill has enlisted the 19-year-old for the squad for the Euro 2020 qualifiers with Estonia and Belarus. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Arsenal teenager Daniel Ballard has been called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the first time for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Estonia and Belarus.<\/p>\n
The 19-year-old featured three times for the\u00a0Under-21s last year, scoring in the 1-0 win over Iceland and starting in the victories over Spain and Slovakia.<\/p>\n
He is the only new face in Michael O’Neill’s 27-man group, though there are recalls for forwards Will Grigg and Conor Washington.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cAt Under-19s or at U21s, when I put the green shirt on it\u2019s a feeling of pride,\u201d the young defender said. I want to do well when I represent my country.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo do that for the first team would be amazing. It\u2019s always been a dream and I\u2019ll keep dreaming until it comes true.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sheffield United midfielder Oliver Norwood has been omitted for personal reasons while Jamie Ward, Kyle Vassell, Michael Smith and Trevor Carson are all missing through injury.<\/p>\n
Northern Ireland, who reached the last 16 at Euro 2016, begin Euro 2020 qualifying against Estonia on March 21 in Belfast before another home game against Belarus three days later.<\/p>\n
Their group also includes Germany and Netherlands\u00a0as they aim to qualify for back-to-back European Championships for the first time.<\/p>\n
Another new addition comes in the form of Steve Harper, who joins O’Neill’s backroom team\u00a0as goalkeeping coach.<\/p>\n
The 43-year-old currently works with ‘keepers\u00a0in the Newcastle United academy but will combine his role in the north east with his new position starting next\u00a0week.<\/p>\n