Lewis and McCausland out of NI’s Nations League games
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Published
Jamal Lewis and Ross McCausland will miss Northern Ireland’s Nations League games against Belarus and Luxembourg because of injury.
Defender Lewis, who is on loan at Sao Paulo from Newcastle, has an ankle injury whilst Rangers winger McCausland has been nursing a foot problem.
Both have left the camp and will be unavailable for Friday’s game at Windsor Park and Monday’s final Nations League fixture in Luxembourg.
“We have two that will miss out, Ross McCausland came into camp with a foot injury, and we felt the best thing was to send him back to his club,” NI boss Michael O’Neill told BBC Sport NI.
“Jamal Lewis came in with an ankle issue and he has left the camp as well, so we have a 25-man squad and we have more than enough to get through the two games.”
O’Neill is already without defenders Paddy McNair and Eoin Toal for the double-header because of hamstring injuries.
Shea Charles will captain the side against Belarus in his 22nd appearance for the senior team.
The Southampton midfielder, who is on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, made his debut two years ago against Greece under former manager Ian Baraclough.
Northern Ireland sit top of Nations League C Group 3 with seven points after two wins, one draw and one defeat from their four fixtures in the competition to date.