Northern Ireland striker Ward back for crucial Euro 2016 qualifiers

Nottingham Forest forward Jamie Ward was on Tuesday recalled to the Northern Ireland squad for next month's decisive 2016 European Championship qualifiers at home to Greece and away to Finland.

Ward missed the 1-1 draw with Hungary earlier this month due to a hamstring problem, but he returns as Michael O'Neill's side go in search of the three points they need to reach a first major tournament in 30 years.

Seven-goal top scorer Kyle Lafferty, utility man Chris Baird and full-back Conor McLaughlin are all suspended for the home game with Greece on October 8, but could feature against Finland in Helsinki three days later.

O'Neill has backed Josh Magennis, Liam Boyce and Billy McKay to fill in for Lafferty, saying: "Obviously we knew Kyle would not be available, but myself and (assistant manager) Jimmy Nichol have watched the three lads in Scotland very closely.

"McKay, Boyce and Josh are all playing well and scoring, and that's a good thing. (Under-21s coach) Damien Johnson has watched Will Grigg for me too.

"But it's not just a case of who replaces Kyle. We have other options up front and we could change the system. That will be determined by personnel, but it's good to have the other lads playing, scoring and in good form."

Northern Ireland squad (* denotes suspended against Greece)

Goalkeepers: Roy Carroll (Notts County/ENG), Alan Mannus (St Johnstone/SCO), Michael McGovern (Hamilton Academical/SCO)

Defenders: Chris Baird* (Derby County/ENG), Craig Cathcart (Watford/ENG), Jonny Evans (West Bromwich Albion/ENG), Shane Ferguson (Millwall/ENG), Lee Hodson (Milton Keynes Dons/ENG), Aaron Hughes (Melbourne City/AUS), Gareth McAuley (West Bromwich Albion/ENG), Conor McLaughlin* (Fleetwood Town/ENG), Paddy McNair (Manchester United/ENG)

Midfielders: Chris Brunt (West Bromwich Albion/ENG), Stuart Dallas (Leeds United/ENG), Steven Davis (Southampton/ENG), Corry Evans (Blackburn Roves/ENG), Paddy McCourt (Luton Town/ENG), Ryan McLaughlin (Aberdeen/SCO), Oliver Norwood (Reading/ENG)

Forwards: Liam Boyce (Ross County/SCO), Will Grigg (Wigan Athletic/ENG), Kyle Lafferty* (Norwich City/ENG), Josh Magennis (Kilmarnock/SCO), Niall McGinn (Aberdeen/SCO), Billy McKay (Dundee United/SCO), Jamie Ward (Nottingham Forest/ENG)

Source: AFP