Sunderland defender Tom Flanagan withdraws from Northern Ireland squad
Tom Flanagan has withdrawn from the upcoming Northern Ireland squad for their UEFA Nations League double-header.
The Sunderland defender has withdrawn for ‘personal reasons’, a statement read.
Northern Ireland face Romania in Bucharest on September 4 followed by the home game against Norway in Belfast on September 7.
A statement on the Northern Ireland website read: “Arsenal defender Daniel Ballard has been called up to the Northern Ireland senior men’s squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Romania and Norway.
“The 20-year-old, who has played under new senior boss Ian Baraclough at Under-21 level for Northern Ireland, joins the panel in place of Sunderland’s Tom Flanagan who has withdrawn from the panel for personal reasons.”
Sunderland defender Conor McLaughlin remains part of the NI squad and will miss the opening two games of the new season, which starts on September 5 with the visit of Hull City in the Carabao Cup.