Inexperienced Northern Ireland to face familiar foes – talking points

Northern Ireland have not enjoyed recent meetings with Switzerland.

Published 12 hours ago

Northern Ireland return to action on Friday night when Switzerland visit Windsor Park for a friendly.

After winning their Nations League group late last year, attention is now on preparing for the World Cup qualifying campaign that begins in September.

Here the PA news agency looks at the key talking points ahead of Friday’s game.

Familiar foes present a tough test

Switzerland v Northern Ireland – FIFA World Cup – Qualifying Play-off – Second Leg – St Jakob Park — Switzerland beat Northern Ireland in controversial circumstances during qualifying for the 2018 World Cup (Nick Potts/PA)

Donley among the new faces

Northern Ireland File Photo — Jamie Donley is a new face in the Northern Ireland squad (Adam Davy/PA)

Who will be number one?

Blackburn Rovers v Plymouth Argyle – Sky Bet Championship – Ewood Park — Conor Hazard will hope to get a chance after impressing for Plymouth (Cody Froggatt/PA)

Lack of experience

Northern Ireland v Bulgaria – UEFA Nations League – Group C3 – Windsor Park — Paddy McNair will captain a largely inexperienced side (Liam McBurney/PA)

Long injury list

Nottingham Forest v Liverpool – Premier League – City Ground — Liverpool’s Conor Bradley headlines a long list of absentees (Mike Egerton/PA)