Grigg’s inclusion means disappointment for Liam Boyce, the Ross County forward, in addition to Michael Smith, Daniel Lafferty, Billy McKay and Ben Reeves.
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Former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll has also been included and he is the oldest player in the squad at 38, while ex-Melbourne City defender Aaron Hughes, who has 99 caps, makes the cut as well.
Boyce had scored 17 times before January, yet a broken hand set him back and Grigg propelled himself into O’Neill’s thoughts with 20 club goals since the new year.
And although Alyaksandr Khatskevich’s men enjoyed plenty of possession throughout the contest, they struggled to break down a resolute Northern Ireland side who sit more than 50 places above them in the Federation Internationale de Football Association rankings.
“I’ve spoken individually to all the players”.
“It’s taken longer than maybe I thought at the time”. Hodson was chosen in the squad for that game but did not play.
“Meanwhile, Will just kept on scoring – 28 goals for his team and helping them to promotion”.
Ive signed another years contract at West Brom and the last thing I would want to do is start something and then have to retire or leave it in the middle.
“I’d like to think I couldn’t really have done much more to get in there”, he told the Evening Post.
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Northern Ireland had headed into the game unbeaten at home since September 2013 and that impressive record was rarely threatened once Lafferty fired them in front in the opening minutes.
