Wednesday 24 August 2016 15:10, UK
Will Grigg will not feature in the Northern Ireland squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Czech Republic.
The iconic Wigan Athletic midfielder has asked to be excused because his partner is expecting a baby and manager Michael O'Neill has reluctantly agreed.
There are two new faces - Tom Flanagan of Burton Albion and Michael Duffy of Dundee - while Peterborough's Michael Smith and Ross County's Liam Boyce return having being left out of the Euro 2016 squad.
O'Neill said: "He (Liam) was very unlucky to miss out on France. It was a toss of a coin between him and Will Grigg.
"He got a bad wrist injury and played poorly in the League Cup final even though County won the final, so his season fizzled out a bit after a strong first half, whereas Will Grigg finished strongly.
"I could only name 23 players for the Euros and I would typically name a 25-man squad."
There is no place for Aaron Hughes, who has joined Kerala Blasters in India and has not had a pre-season, while Gareth McAuley is named after electing to continue with international football.
Northern Ireland open their Group C qualifying campaign against the Czechs in Prague on Sunday, September 4, live on Sky Sports.
Full Northern Ireland squad:
Goalkeepers: Michael McGovern (Norwich), Alan Mannus (St Johnstone), Trevor Carson (Hartlepool).
Defenders: Gareth McAuley, Jonny Evans (both West Brom), Craig Cathcart (Watford), Conor McLaughlin (Fleetwood), Lee Hodson (Rangers), Michael Smith (Peterborough), Tom Flanagan (Burton).
Midfielders: Steven Davis (Southampton), Niall McGinn (Aberdeen), Oliver Norwood (Brighton), Corry Evans (Blackburn), Michael Duffy (Celtic), Jamie Ward (Nottingham Forest), Shane Ferguson (Millwall), Stuart Dallas (Leeds), Paddy McNair (Sunderland).
Forwards: Kyle Lafferty (Norwich), Josh Magennis (Charlton), Conor Washington (QPR), Liam Boyce (Ross County).
