Alfie McCalmont is back in the Northern Ireland Under-21 squad for the upcoming Euro qualifiers against Russia and Spain.

The Morecambe midfielder was involved in Ian Baraclough’s senior panel for the recent hat-trick against Lithuania, Estonia and Switzerland.

Under-21 boss John Schofield has included McCalmont and Cliftonville forward Paul O’Neill, who also returns after recovering from injury.

Manchester United midfielder Ethan Galbraith – who is currently on loan at Doncaster Rovers – looks set to take back command of the squad.

The Under-21 panel also includes eight Irish League players, with all four forwards playing in the Premiership or the Irish Championship.

Northern Ireland will face the Russians on Friday October 8 in Khimki (5 p.m. UK time) before facing the Spaniards in Seville on Tuesday October 12 (7:45 p.m. UK time).

Top-seeded Spain opened their campaign with a 4-1 victory over second-seeded Russia and a 2-0 away win over Lithuania.

Russia defeated Malta 6-0 in Khimki.

Northern Ireland suffered a 4-1 loss to Malta in their opener before rebounding with a 1-0 win over Slovakia thanks to a penalty from Galbraith at Mourneview Park.

Northern Ireland U21 Team

Goalkeepers : Liam Hughes (Liverpool), Ollie Webber (Crystal Palace).

Defenders : Aaron Donnelly (Nottingham Forest), Trai Hume (Linfield), Sam McClelland (Chelsea), Kyle McClelland (Rangers), Kofi Balmer (Larne), Finn Cousin-Dawson (Bradford City), Jack Scott (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

Midfielder : Ethan Galbraith (Doncaster Rovers – on loan from Manchester United), Alfie McCalmont (Morecambe – on loan from Leeds United), Caolan Boyd-Munce (Birmingham City), Cameron Palmer (Linfield), Oisin Smyth (Dungannon Swifts), Barry Baggley (City of Fleetwood), Chris Conn-Clarke (Town of Fleetwood), Carl Johnston (Town of Fleetwood), Paddy Lane (Town of Fleetwood).

Before : Paul O’Neill (Cliftonville), Harry Anderson (Portadown), Ryan Waide (Ballymena United), John McGovern (Newry City).