Bailey Peacock-Farrell gets senior Northern Ireland call-up

Leeds United young goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell has been called up to the Northern Ireland senior squad for the first time. Peacock-Farrell has been breath of fresh air between the sticks for Leeds this season, after Felix Wiedwald was dropped in February after a string of poor performances.

The 21 year-old keeper, who was recently named young player of the year at Leeds, got his first start and clean sheet for the Northern Ireland U21 squad back in March. Given his form as first-choice keeper at Leeds, it is not a surprise to see Peacock-Farrell named in the Northern Ireland squad.

In addition to Peacock-Farrell, Leeds winger Stuart Dallas has been named in the Northern Ireland squad for the upcoming friendlies against Panama and Costa Rica. Dallas was injured while on international duty back in November as Northern Ireland just missed out on qualification for the 2018 World Cup, but they have a fantastic chance to win a spot in the 2020 Euros.

Crusaders winger Gavin Whyte, who has been linked with a move to Leeds United, also made the senior squad for Northern Ireland. If Whyte’s move to England hasn’t been sealed before the friendlies, perhaps Dallas and Peacock-Farrell can help convince the 21 year-old Northern Ireland Premiership player of the year to make the switch to Elland Road.

These two friendlies that Northern Ireland will be playing should test the team, as both Panama and Costa Rica are included in this year’s World Cup. Both nations qualified in Concacaf after the United States shockingly failed to make the tournament.

Northern Ireland will face off against Panama on 29 May in Panama City and against Costa Rica on 3 June in San Jose as both teams look to get ready for the World Cup. Additionally, Costa Rica will face off against England at Elland Road later in June, so it will be interesting to see how both teams fare against a common opponent.