Euro qualifiers: Baraclough names McDonagh, Roy and Holden in Northern Ireland squad for Iceland and Slovakia

Ex-Candystripe Rory Holden, who is now plying his trade with Bristol City in the English Championship, is also set to take part.

Baraclough knows that wins away to Iceland and home against Slovakia will give his side an outside chance of qualifying for a play-off for a place at next year’s U21 Euros.

He admitted he had to make some tough calls when he was putting his squad together for the game against Iceland U21s in Reykjavik on October 11, and Slovakia U21s in the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park on October 16.

He revealed: “It was difficult picking a squad. There are players missing out who have been part of previous squads in this campaign, however all the players know you have to be at the top of your game now to be selected.”

Coleraine striker Jamie McGonigle, who is a Dungiven Celtic product and was a late call-up for the games against Luxembourg and Spain after Oxford United winger Gavin Whyte was promoted to the senior squad, is not included this time.

The U21s manager said McGonigle was unlucky not to be selected.

“Ryan Johnson is suspended for the game against Iceland so I had to balance the squad up by taking out a striker and bringing in defensive cover. Unfortunately for Jamie he was the one who had to drop out,” he revealed.

Last month’s win against Luxembourg (1-0 away) and the famous victory over Spain in Albacete have helped to build an even greater spirit in the panel, according to Baraclough, and he believes the outside chance of getting to a play-off is a great incentive for his squad.

He further pointed out: “Playing against Slovakia at the National Football Stadium in the second game will also help the players. It will be an opportunity for them to show what they can do. With young players like Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Jamal Lewis and Gavin Whyte getting into the senior panel they know they have a chance to follow in their footsteps.”