Ballard & Spencer out of NI's World Cup qualifiers

Northern Ireland defenders Daniel Ballard and Brodie Spencer have been ruled out of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers away to Luxembourg and Germany.

Ballard was forced off in the first half of Sunderland's 2-0 loss against Burnley on Saturday, whilst Spencer was injured in Oxford United's Carabao Cup defeat against Brighton on Tuesday.

It is a further blow for boss Michael O'Neill, who is already without goalkeepers Pierce Charles and Conor Hazard as well as defender Ciaron Brown and midfielder Jordan Thompson through injury.

O'Neill has called up uncapped trio Kofi Balmer, Ryan Johnson and Jamie McDowell as replacements and for further cover.

Motherwell defender Balmer, 25, made 20 appearances for Northern Ireland's under-21 side and has been called up to the senior squad on six occasions without making an appearance.

Johnson, a 28-year-old centre-back who plays for League One AFC Wimbledon, receives his first senior call-up after featuring for Northern Ireland at under-21 level.

Midfielder McDonnell is currently on loan at League One side Mansfield Town from Premier League side Nottingham Forest, who he joined from Irish Premiership side Glentoran in 2020.

The 21-year-old has represented NI at under-17 and under-21 level.

Northern Ireland begin their World Cup qualifying campaign with a game against Luxembourg on Thursday, 4 September.

They then travel to Cologne to take on Germany in their second game in Group A on Sunday, 7 September.