"The average age of Northern Ireland's starting team in the 2-0 defeat by Italy was just 22.5, which was the second-youngest on record since the second World War."
"Kieran Morrison has only made two senior appearances for Liverpool, but the 19-year-old earned a first call-up to Michael O'Neill's squad for this international window."
"Tom Atcheson was a late call-up into the Northern Ireland squad after Dan Ballard's withdrawal through injury. The centre-back is a known quantity for O'Neill, who manages him at Blackburn Rovers."
Wales and Northern Ireland meet in a friendly match shortly after their World Cup elimination. Both teams are using this opportunity to test new players for future qualifications. Northern Ireland's recent match against Italy featured an average starting age of 22.5, with only Paddy McNair over 24. Young talents like Kieran Morrison and Tom Atcheson have been called up, with Morrison expected to play a role in the match. This friendly serves as a platform for these players to showcase their potential.
Read at www.bbc.com
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