Northern Ireland return to action with a friendly against Romania in Bucharest on Friday night.
The fixture is the first of back-to-back away games, with a trip to Glasgow to face Scotland up next.
Here, the PA news agency looks at the key talking points ahead of the Romania game.
Youth movementAfter a hugely disappointing Euro 2024 qualifying campaign ruined by injuries, it is time for Michael O’Neill to hit the reset button. Those injuries accelerated the need for a rebuild of the Northern Ireland squad, and almost half of the players in O’Neill’s camp have 10 caps or less, and only two of them – Josh Magennis and George Saville – are over the age of 30. But there is much to be encouraged by, with Conor Bradley, Shea Charles, Isaac Price and Trai Hume among a group of exciting young players who can, given time, get them back to a major tournament. These games are about getting more experience into those players ahead of bigger challenges to come.
Bradley’s break-outAfter starring on loan at League One Bolton last term, Bradley has hit the spotlight in recent months after breaking into Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side with a string of eye-catching displays. In January he scored his first goal and provided two assists in a man-of-the-match display in a 4-1 win over Chelsea, and a month later he lifted the Carabao Cup. The 20-year-old missed the last six Euro qualifiers through injury last term, but Northern Ireland will be excited to welcome back a player who deserves to have some extra swagger in his step.
Davis’ new roleAfter missing more than a year with a serious knee injury, long-time Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis made the difficult decision to announce his retirement in January. But the 39-year-old is not one to stay away for long and has promptly joined O’Neill’s backroom staff for these games. His long-term role is yet to be determined and may depend on whether he makes a move into club coaching, but for now both O’Neill and his players are delighted to have their old skipper’s huge experience to draw on as they mould a new-look team.
Taking the long viewNorthern Ireland will have more friendlies to come in June, there is expected to be a warm-weather training camp in Spain, before the Nations League returns in September. Northern Ireland have not had much fun in UEFA’s newest tournament to date and have dropped into League C, where they will face Belarus, Bulgaria, and Luxembourg later in the year. But the campaign that O’Neill and his players point to more than the Nations League is the World Cup qualifying that starts in early 2025. The goal is to have the squad ready to take on that task in a year’s time.
No easy capsAlthough O’Neill has spoken extensively about the lack of experience in his squad, he was adamant he would not be putting players in for the sake of it. “We have to create competition,” the manager said. “You have to earn the right to get on the pitch.” The uncapped Aaron Donnelly has joined up with the squad from the under-21s in the absence of Dan Ballard, who has not travelled after becoming a father. Caolan Boyd-Munce and Jamie Reid, the Stevenage striker who has received his first call-up at the age of 29, are the other players in the squad still awaiting their first taste of international football.
New Man Utd boss Amorim believes his system is 'perfect' for Mount
Ruben Amorim expressed his “love” for Mason Mount as he prepares to take charge of his first match as Manchester United head coach.
Mount has been hampered by injury during his spell at United, having started just seven matches for the club in the league and contributing only one goal.
Yet he accrued 27 goals, 22 assists and created 227 chances during 129 appearances while at Chelsea. He will hope the arrival of his new boss will help him to recapture such form.
Amorim arrived in Manchester on 11 November and, having had time to familiarise himself with a new squad during the international break, is excited at what Mount can bring to the Red Devils.
“Mason Mount… I have to tell you I love that kid. You can look in his eyes that he wants this so bad. This is the most important thing,” he said at a press conference.
“He played in this system, so it’s perfect for him. I have two positions for Mount, so he should be very happy!”
The English midfielder was once seen as one of England’s most exciting talents, having impressed in the capital, but has floundered in his limited performances at United, with just 10 chances created in 17 matches.
But Erik ten Hag’s departure could signal a reversal of fortunes for United and Mount.
Following an unbeaten run under interim coach Ruud van Nistelrooy, Amorim will take the helm in the Premier League for the first time against Ipswich Town on Sunday.
Postecoglou thinks Spurs can end Guardiola's Premier League dominance
Ange Postecoglou relishes the opportunity to challenge Pep Guardiola’s Premier League dominance after he signed a contract extension with Manchester City.
It was announced by City on Thursday that Guardiola will stay at the club until 2027 after agreeing a new two-year deal, taking his time at the Etihad to over a decade.
Under Guardiola (since 2016-17), City have lost more Premier League games (six) and conceded more goals (22) against Spurs than they have against any other opponent in the top-flight.
It is perhaps unsurprising then that, despite the City boss having lifted the Premier League trophy in six of the last seven seasons, Postecoglou was happy his competitor was remaining at the helm.
"I look at it the other way, imagine you knock him off? That would be something, eh?,"Postecoglou began.
"And I'm at the stage of my life where I'd rather have a chance of knocking him off than missing that opportunity. In the right way, obviously.
"I think when greatness is around, you want to be around it. Hopefully it challenges you to be like that as well.”
Postecoglou is preparing to travel to face City in the league on Saturday during Guardiola’s worst run of form of his career.
City have lost each of their last four matches in all competitions. The Citizens last lost more consecutively between March and April 2006 under Stuart Pearce (six – the fifth game of which was also against Tottenham).
It could present the perfect opportunity for the Australian boss to start his ascent on Guardiola’s dominance, though he will have to face demons of his own as his side have won just two of their last 11 Premier League away games (D2 L7).
"I love the fact that there is a massive target out there that can seem insurmountable. It does for me anyway, raises my level, gets me going,” he added.
"I love the challenge of that and I never see that as a bad thing."
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