Dan Ballard: How can Northern Ireland replace the injured defender?

Assuming Paddy McNair starts regardless of Ballard’s injury, O’Neill has a number of options available to him.

Norwich City Ruairi McConville He is the most likely replacement for Ballard in Bergamo.

The 20-year-old was also a doubt due to injury, but played the full 90 minutes in the loss to Southampton on Wednesday, and again in Saturday’s win over Charlton Athletic.

He made his debut in 2024 and has made nine caps, and has been a regular for Norwich since breaking into the first team in November.

Another option at centre-back is Owen Tualwhich began the World Cup qualifiers in Germany.

The Bolton Wanderers captain helped the club finish third in League One, earning 10 caps.

Oxford United Ciaron Brown He is often used as a reliable back-up for O’Neill when others are injured, and is a natural left-sided centre-back.

He has a long throw and has scored twice in his last six games for Oxford, so he is a threat at both ends of the pitch.

Tom Acheson He was called into the squad as a replacement for Ballard from the Under-21s and is a known figure to O’Neill, who is his manager at Blackburn Rovers.

Acheson, 19, was named man of the match in Saturday’s goalless draw with Championship leaders Middlesbrough.