Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough warns player workload will lead to injuries

Ian Baraclough has warned of the dangers facing fatigued players as Northern Ireland prepare to play four Nations League games in the space of 10 days.

Northern Ireland boss Baraclough is already without nine players for tests against Greece, Cyprus – who they play twice – and Kosovo in League C following relegation in the competition two years ago.

Craig Cathcart, Josh Magennis and Stuart Dallas were the headline names missing from the 28-man squad announced on Friday.

"The demands put on the players nowadays, (Liverpool manager) Jurgen Klopp described it as ridiculous," Baraclough said.

"Now they're asked at the end of a long season to go into a Nations League campaign and play four games.

"Only UEFA and FIFA can answer those questions as to why.

"But when Jurgen says it is a ridiculous situation we have to stand up and listen, and be strong about it.

"I know the PFA chief executive (Maheta Molango) voiced his concerns the other day saying we can’t keep asking players to just keep playing games.

"It’s 12 months, all year round, and we’re just seeing more and more injuries. The ones we are seeing are fatigue injuries."

Glentoran forward Conor McMenamin, Huddersfield defender Brodie Spencer, Manchester City midfielder Shea Charles and Rangers midfielder Charlie McCann are included in the senior squad for the first time.

Thirteen members of Baraclough’s squad have got five caps or less, and nine of them are still eligible for the Under-21s.

He said: "For the smaller nations it is a stretch, you’re asking players to go to the well again.

"You’ll see more and more injuries through fatigue and that’s a shame because it will dilute the quality of these competitions.

"Jordan Henderson has taken a rest with England. But England can cope