Michael Forbes set for Northern Ireland debut after West Ham United man receives late call-up
The November international break will see a number of West Ham United stars head around the world to represent their national sides.
While the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Nayef Aguerd and Edson Alvarez are all becoming regular fixtures for their respective national sides, the Hammers may be set to have a new full international in their ranks.
Young defender Michael Forbes could be in line to make his debut for Northern Ireland over the coming days after he was called up from the Under-21 side to join Michael O’Neill’s ranks for the November international break.
Injuries to Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Paddy Lane and Brad Lyons led the Northern Ireland boss to add some fresh faces to his squad, with the young Hammer one of two players pulled up from the Under-21s squad.
Discussing the changes O’Neill told the Irish FA (15 November) that: “It’s a great chance for Michael, Terry [Devlin] and Caolan [Boyd-Munce] to join the squad and make a positive contribution.”
Forbes had already been confirmed to be training with the senior side this week as they prepare for Euro 2024 qualifying clashes with Finland and Denmark, but now looks set to be included in the match day squad for both those fixtures, given the injury crisis faced by O’Neill.
The defender who can play both at the heart of the backline or left-back has been a regular fixture of Northern Ireland’s youth squads for several years but is yet to make his debut having been part of the squad for October’s international break.
Having yet to make his senior debut for West Ham, it will be a huge boost for both the 19-year-old and the Hammers should he get a taste of senior international football over the next week or so, either against Finland or Denmark.
Even if he doesn’t manage to step foot on the playing field, it will undoubtedly be a huge boost to the defender’s development and make him even more prepared when his chance comes around to play a part on David Moyes’ first team.
With progression in the Europa League looking likely and the Irons’ successful start to their Carabao Cup campaign, it looks set to be a long season for West Ham. It will only help Moyes and his side if they have even more players ready to be called upon.
In other West Ham news, Sam Allardyce has sent his sympathy to Moyes after the late drama during the Irons’ win over Nottingham Forest