Northern Ireland debut on cards for West Ham United youngster Michael Forbes after injury news
West Ham United have plenty of players in action for their respective nations during the current international break.
The likes of first-team stars Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus, Tomas Soucek and Edson Alvarez have all been heavily involved for their national teams in recent days.
Another Hammers man who has had plenty of time on the pitch during the current break is 19-year-old Michael Forbes.
The defender, who can play both left-back and centre-back, played the entirety of the two Northern Ireland Under-21 matches against Azerbaijan and Serbia.
But the West Ham Under-21 man could now go a step further when the senior team take on Slovenia on Tuesday (17 October).
Forbes, who has yet to make a senior appearance for West Ham, could get the call-up by Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill for the Euro 2024 qualifier.
The potential international debut comes amid the injury issue to fellow defender Daniel Ballard and the suspension of Paddy McNair.
“I think we have enough in the squad without calling anyone up,” said O’Neill, as quoted by BBC Sport. “I think what we might look to do is add someone from the Under-21 squad if Daniel doesn’t make it.”
The boss will undoubtedly be keen for Ballard to make it, but if he doesn’t, the door will almost certainly open for Hammers youngster Forbes following his displays for the Under-21s.
If selected, the defender will join his West Ham Under-21 teammate Callum Marshall in O’Neill’s senior squad, with the striker coming off the bench in the recent win against San Marino.
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