Slovakia vs Northern Ireland: Billy Peacock-Farrell in NI’s strongest line-up yet

The on-loan Blackpool goalkeeper has returned to the starting team for the World Cup qualifiers due to a shoulder injury that has kept Pierce Charles out of the last four matches.

With Conor Hazard and Luke Southwood also waiting in the wings, the competition for the number one shirt is heating up and Peacock-Farrell feels it is up to him to keep his place in the team.

He added: “I was given this opportunity at this moment and Pierce had his opportunity when I was injured and he took it and rightly so, fair play to him.”

“When Pierce comes back, it’ll be me, Pierce, Connor and Luke. We’ve got a great squad for Michael to pick on, so it’s just a matter of doing what you can control which is your performance at club level and when you pull on a Northern Ireland shirt.”

Northern Ireland’s 2-0 win over Slovakia at Windsor Park is considered one of the best performances of Michael O’Neill’s two spells.

However, there is no guarantee it will be a similar story in Kosice, with Peacock-Farrell accepting he will likely be “busier”.

“They will have some key players back, we are missing some key players but I think they will also be wary that we are doing them too much damage in terms of how we push them into reality after they beat Germany.

“We had an amazing performance against Slovakia and we felt the pain against Germany. We are actually in very good shape and playing really well.

“Away games in international football are tough but we’re not worried about them, we’re aware of their qualities as in every game but looking at my whole career with Northern Ireland, I look at this team and it’s really promising and really exciting.

“There’s a lot of belief, enthusiasm and overall ability in this team as well. It’s great to be a part of it.”