A Sheffield Wednesday player could be in line to make his senior international debut this month.
Sheffield Wednesday appear to have a growing list of international players in their ranks, largely since the arrival of Danny Rohl as manager last year.
This month, the Owls have several players on international duty, including both Di’Shon Bernard and Jamal Lowe for Jamaica.
The Reggae Boyz play in games against Nicaragua and Honduras in the CONCACAF Nations League, whilst James Beadle will feature for England’s U21s this month.
Elsewhere, brothers Pierce Charles and Shea Charles are representing the Northern Ireland senior squad this month; it’s Pierce Charles’ second call-up to the Northern Ireland senior squad.
Shea has been a revelation since joining Sheffield Wednesday on loan from Southampton, earning huge praise during the win vs Coventry City in particular.
Pierce meanwhile continues to show his potential, having been no.2 to Beadle this season but having played in Carabao Cup fixtures.
Michael O’Neill hints at Pierce Charles decision for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland play Nations League games against Belarus and Bulgaria this month. But boss Michael O’Neill has been dealt an injury setback.
Former Owls man Bailey Peacock-Farrell is the usual no.1 for Northern Ireland. However, he’s been withdrawn due to injury.
That leaves Charles and and Bolton Wanderers’ Luke Southwood; both of whom play no.2 for their clubs.
Speaking to Belfast Telegraph about Charles and this latest goalkeeping conundrum, O’Neill said: “Pierce is different for us as a goalkeeper to be so young.
“He’s probably the youngest goalkeeper we’ve had in the senior squad since Roy Carroll.
“There’s things that need to develop in his game but when he was with us in June, he impressed everybody in terms of how he was with the group, his quality as a goalkeeper and his mentality was very good.
“If you are asking me if I was in a situation where I had to play Pierce, would I have any reservations? I wouldn’t have any reservations about playing him.”
O’Neill added: “He is excellent with the ball at his feet and everyone knows the quality of his distribution and his play and he is a young goalkeeper with a lot of potential.”
Pierce Charles has shown huge potential with Sheffield Wednesday
This time last year, few Wednesday fans might have even heard of Charles’ name. Now. he’s potentially poised to make his debut on the international stage.
Even though he’s played a limited amount of first-team games under Rohl, Charles has shown enough potential to tell us all that he can have a very bright future in the game.
The fact that O’Neill would have no reservations about playing him this month also shows how highly-rated he is with his international team.
For Charles, making his international debut would be another huge step in his early career, and it could put him another step closer towards being the eventual Wednesday no.1.