Michael O'Neill has named his Northern Ireland squad for upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers later this month - and Kyle Lafferty has not been included.

The 35-year-old was sent home from the last international camp after a video emerged of him using sectarian language in a bar, for which he later apologised for.

The incident led to Lafferty being suspended by Kilmarnock and he was later released at the end of the transfer window. He has since returned to Northern Ireland with Linfield, but is yet to score for his new club.

On Lafferty's omission, O'Neill explained: "He's looking for form and fitness and I don't think at this minute in time international football would be the right thing for him.

"The door is not shut, it has never been shut on anyone.

"The responsibility lies with the player in terms of form and fitness."

O’Neill is confident Jonny Evans will be fit to lead Northern Ireland into their qualifying campaign later this month despite an injury which has kept the Leicester defender out since November.

Evans has been named in O’Neill’s first Northern Ireland squad since he returned to the national job in December, and the 35-year-old’s experience will be key in a group that is missing captain Steven Davis, Stuart Dallas, Corry Evans, Ali McCann, and Shayne Lavery due to injuries.

But Evans – who earned his 100th cap in what proved to be Ian Baraclough’s final game in charge in Greece – has not played for Leicester since before the World Cup, suffering with a calf injury and more recently a thigh strain.

“I’ve spoken to Jonny and I think he’s coming on really well,” said O’Neill, who will take his side to San Marino on March 23 before facing Finland at Windsor Park three days later.

“He had a slight setback, he picked up a thigh strain which set him back a couple of weeks but he’s back with the medical team on the grass and they’re hoping he will be available to play in an under-21 game if not this week, certainly before the international break.

“He’s obviously massively keen to be back fit for Leicester, that’s his priority but equally he’s a player that has over 100 caps, he’s very keen on prolonging his international career as long as possible and hopefully he’ll be ready to play.”