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Corry Evans and Craig Cathcart included for Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier squad

Craig Cathcart refuses claims from Alain Giresse that Northern Ireland are too limited to compete in France
Image: Craig Cathcart has received an international call-up despite being injured for three months

Corry Evans and Craig Cathcart have been included for Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Norway on March 26 at Windsor Park, live on Sky Sports.

However, Michael O'Neill's squad are without Sunderland's Paddy McNair and striker Billy Mckay while injury issues for goalkeeper Trevor Carson mean 39-year-old 'keeper Roy Carroll re-joins the squad.

Ryan McLaughlin, 22, joins his brother Conor, 25, in O'Neill's selection after becoming a regular for Sky Bet League One Oldham.

"Ryan is in and has played consistently now this season at Oldham," the Northern Ireland boss said.

"It's the biggest run of games in his career and the reports have been good. He's played in a variety of positions so it's nice to see a young player coming back in again."

Live International Football: FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers

O'Neill has a strong defence as Cathcart returns to the squad, with Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley in excellent form for West Brom.

Cathcart played every minute at Euro 2016 but has only appeared 12 times for Watford this season and had to take three months out with a groin injury.

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"We've not had him for four games and we saw in the summer how important Craig is to us," added O'Neill.

Northern Ireland midfielder Corry Evans challenges for the ball against Ukraine
Image: Corry Evans has been included - but has not appeared for Blackburn since January

"It's been a difficult season for him, he came back and had the operation early in the season and it's been a bit stop-start for him. He's certainly a player I much prefer to be in the squad than out of it."

Evans has been included in the squad despite not appearing for Blackburn since January 2.

"If anything it will be a benefit if he gets some game time and some intense training to build him up," Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray said on Tuesday.

In the race to finish runners-up behind world champions Germany, Northern Ireland are ahead of Azerbaijan on goal difference.

Northern Ireland squad: M McGovern , A Mannus, R Carroll, G McAuley, J Evans, A Hughes, C Cathcart, C McLaughlin, L Hodson, T Flanagan, R McLaughlin, C Brunt , S Davis, N McGinn, O Norwood, C Evans, J Ward, S Dallas, M Lund, P Paton, K Lafferty, J Magennis , C Washington, L Boyce.

Watch Northern Ireland v Norway live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 7.30pm on Sunday, March 26.

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