COLCHESTER United duo Jamie McDonnell and Aaron Donnelly have been called up to the Northern Ireland under-21 squad for their forthcoming Euro U21 qualifiers.
The on-loan Nottingham Forest pair have been named in Tommy Wright's squad for their games against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg, later this month.
They are Northern Ireland's final two games of their UEFA U21 Euro 2025 Group F qualifying campaign.
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They host Azerbaijan at Ballymena Showgrounds on Saturday October 12 before playing their last group game against Luxembourg at the Emile Mayrisch Stadium in Esch-sur-Alzette on Tuesday, October 15.
Wright said: “The aim is to finish the campaign strong and hopefully win these two games.”
McDonnell, who made his Football League debut for Colchester in midweek after coming on as a second-half substitute in their 1-1 draw at Port Vale, returns to the squad after recovering from a long-term injury.
The 20-year-old midfielder joined the U's on a season-long loan from Nottingham Forest in the final day of the summer transfer window.
Donnelly returns to the Northern Ireland under-21 squad, having featured for them against England last month.
The 21-year-old defender has made five appearances for Colchester since joining on loan in August and registered his first league start for them in their draw at his former club, Port Vale.
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