Northern Ireland boss explains why Blackpool duo have been dropped to his standby list
Blackpool’s fixture list may not fall victim to the next international break.
Blackpool’s League One trip to AFC Wimbledon looks set to go ahead despite the looming international break.
The next break runs from November 9-17, with the Seasiders set to visit the Cherry Red Records Stadium on the 14th.
International call-ups for Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Dion Charles and Karoy Anderson meant Ian Evatt’s squad didn’t play a league match in the last break from September 21 to October 6.
However, it’s anticipated that won’t be the case this time around after Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill named a reduced squad of 23 from the 28 who played four games in little more than a week-and-a-half.
Peacock-Farrell and Charles have been demoted to the standby list for the UEFA Nations League games with Ukraine and Hungary on November 14 and 17 respectively, while club colleague Dale Taylor has been overlooked.
Instead, Manchester United keeper Dermot Mee and Portsmouth striker Eoin Kenny have been handed their first call-ups for the final League B Group 2 fixtures.
Also dropping out are the injured trio of former Blackpool loanee Dan Ballard, Eoin Toal and Jamie McDonnell.
Although Charles played against Hungary in September, he did not make the match squad for two of the four games in the last window, while Peacock-Farrell has not played an international in the last 12 months.
“You’re not really wanting to bring more senior players and not give them the opportunity,” O’Neill said. “That’s the nature of the selection process.
“It was a good conversation with Dion. He knows himself, he has to have a good season at Blackpool.
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“Bailey’s good, he understands the reasons.
“We’ve got enough experience in the squad with the amount of international football this group has played.”
Anderson, however, is expected to be named in Jamaica’s squad for their two-legged CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final with Mexico.
Those matches will be played in the early hours of November 15 and 18 UK time.
AFC Wimbledon have been approached for confirmation that next weekend’s match will be played.