Tuesday 1 November 2016 14:39, UK
Chris Brunt has been named in the Northern Ireland squad for next week's World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan.
The West Brom defender has not figured for his country since suffering serious knee damage against Crystal Palace in March, an injury which ruled him out of the European Championship finals in France.
Coach Michael O'Neill has selected the 31-year-old in his 25-man party for the match at Windsor Park on November 11 and a friendly against Croatia at the same venue four days later.
Wigan striker Will Grigg, who has not been part of the Northern Ireland set-up since the Euros, returns to the squad but there is no place for Watford central defender Craig Cathcart who misses out through injury.
Speaking on the Irish FA's official website, O'Neill said: "In the last few weeks Chris has made great strides by coming off the bench in his first match and starting at the weekend.
"He's a Premier League player, he's always going to be in our squad. He was a big loss for us at the finals so it is great to have him back in."
Former Shamrock Rovers boss O'Neill is well aware of the threat Azerbaijan pose given their start to the campaign following victories over San Marino and Norway and a draw in the Czech Repiublic.
"We expect a tough game. They have seven points from nine and have made a good start not conceding a goal," he added.
"They're not a team that are going to come and attack us really, they are a team that are going to be very well organised. Having watched their three games, we expect that it will be a very difficult game."
Squad; Michael McGovern (Norwich), Alan Mannus (St Johnstone), Trevor Carson (Hartlepool), Gareth McAuley (West Brom), Jonny Evans (West Brom), Aaron Hughes (Kerala Blasters), Chris Brunt (West Brom), Conor McLaughlin (Fleetwood), Lee Hodson (Rangers), Ryan McGivern (Shrewsbury), Tom Flanagan (Burton Albion), Steven Davis (Southampton), Ollie Norwood (Brighton), Corry Evans (Blackburn), Niall McGinn (Aberdeen), Jamie Ward (Burton Albion), Shane Ferguson (Millwall), Stuart Dallas (Leeds), Paddy McNair (Sunderland), Paul Paton (St Johnstone), Matthew Lund (Rochdale), Kyle Lafferty (Norwich), Conor Washington (QPR), Will Grigg (Wigan), Josh Magennis (Charlton)
