Sheffield Wednesday duo in line for international opportunities as youngsters target minutes
Sheffield Wednesday duo Kieran Morrison and Harry Gray will be hoping to make their mark on the international stage on Friday evening.
Sheffield Wednesday loanees Kieran Morrison and Harry Gray will be hoping to make their presence felt for Northern Ireland and England’s Under-19s on Friday evening.
Northern Ireland will get their UEFA Nations League campaign up and running with a clash against Georgia at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, kick-off 5pm BST.
Michael O’Neill’s side are competing in League B’s Group 2 alongside Georgia, Hungary and Ukraine. The Green and White Army are competing in League B after earning promotion from League C during the 2024/25 Nations League campaign.
Wednesday loanee Morrison, who arrived at Hillsborough from Liverpool last month, was included in boss O’Neill’s 28-man squad last week, meaning he will be hoping to make his second appearance for his country after making his debut against Guinea in June.
The winger, who has registered two assists in six League One appearances for Wednesday so far this season, is one of a number of attackers to have been named in O’Neill’s squad, meaning he will face stiff competition to add to his appearance tally.
However, the trip to Georgia is the first of four matches Northern Ireland will navigate their way through in just 11 days, meaning O’Neill is likely to lean on almost all of his players as the international break unfolds.
After facing Georgia on Friday at teatime, Northern Ireland will host Hungary at Windsor Park on Monday evening. They will then take on Ukraine in Slovakia on Friday, October 2, before returning to Windsor Park to host Georgia on Monday, October 5.
Meanwhile, fellow Owls attacker Gray, who arrived at Hillsborough on loan from Leeds United in July, could make his debut for England’s U19s against the Republic of Ireland on Friday evening after receiving his maiden call-up a week ago.
The 17-year-old, who made a positive impact off the bench for Wednesday against Stockport County last weekend, was named in Ben Futcher’s squad for the first time last Friday after previously impressing for the Three Lions’ U17s.
England’s youngsters are scheduled to play four friendlies during this international window, starting with a meeting against Ireland at St George’s Park at 7pm on Friday. They will then travel to Spain for clashes with Norway, the USA and Belgium.
The tussle with Norway is scheduled to take place next Tuesday, while the meeting with the USA will be held next Friday. They will bring their time in Spain to an end against Belgium on Monday, October 5.