Football: Hale in Northern Ireland squad for upcoming friendlies

Former Cliftonville striker Ronan Hale has been included in the Northern Ireland squad for this month's friendlies against Switzerland and Sweden.

The 26-year-old has scored 12 goals for Ross County in his first season with the Scottish Premiership side and is selected by Manager Michael O'Neill for the first time since he became eligible after completing his international transfer from the Republic of Ireland in January.

Northern Ireland face Switzerland on Friday March 21st in the National Football Arena at Windsor Park (7.45pm), before travelling to play Sweden in Stockholm's Strawberry Arena on Tuesday March 25th (6pm).

O'Neill has also brought Terry Devlin, Dale Taylor, Paddy McNair, Aaron Donnelly, Eoin Toal and Conor Hazard, while Crystal Palace midfielder Justin Devenny and Norwich City defender Ruairi McConville retain their places.

Liverpool defender Conor Bradley and Sunderland defender Daniel Ballard are both missing through injury.

Moving to the standby list this time are goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell, defender Kofi Balmer, midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce and strikers Josh Magennis and Jamie Reid. Also missing out is defender Jamal Lewis.

Northern Ireland Squad to play Switzerland (H) and Sweden (A):

Goalkeepers: Pierce Charles (Sheffield Wednesday), Conor Hazard (Plymouth Argyle), Luke Southwood (Bolton Wanderers)

Defenders: Ciaron Brown (Oxford United), Trai Hume (Sunderland), Brodie Spencer (Huddersfield Town), Eoin Toal (Bolton Wanderers), Ruairi McConville (Norwich City), Paddy McNair (San Diego FC), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth), Aaron Donnelly (Dundee)

Midfielders: George Saville (Millwall), Jordan Thompson (Stoke City), Shea Charles (Sheffield Wednesday, on loan from Southampton), Isaac Price (West Bromwich Albion), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers), Ethan Galbraith (Leyton Orient), Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock), Justin Devenny (Crystal Palace), Ross McCausland (Rangers)

Forwards: Dion Charles (Huddersfield Town), Callum Marshall (Huddersfield Town, on loan from West Ham United), Lee Bonis (ADO Den Haag), Dale Taylor (Wigan Athletic, on loan from Nottingham Forest), Ronan Hale (Ross County)