Northern Ireland national team player misses World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan for wedding

Baku. 23 May. REPORT.AZ/ Player of Northern Ireland national team Conor James Washington will miss 2018 World Cup qualifying group match with the national team of Azerbaijan on June 10, 2018 in Baku due to his wedding.

Report informs, 25-year-old striker will also miss friendly match with New Zealand for the same reason.

Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill has arranged two meet-ups prior to the match with New Zealand in Belfast, the first of which is taking place in Manchester this week without most of his English and Scottish top-flight players.

Jones is a 22-year-old midfielder who has been capped by his country at youth level. The former Middlesbrough trainee once pulled out of the Northern Ireland Under-21 squad in the hope of representing England.

Goalkeeper Peacock-Farrell, 20, was born in the north-east of England like Jones and made his Leeds debut last year in a 1-1 draw against QPR.

Washington scored second goal in World Cup 2018 qualifying match against Norway (2:0) on March 26, 2018.

Washington was on target in the win over Norway in March and his absence leaves O'Neill with an attacking headache, particularly as Lafferty has made just one start for club and country since November.

Liam Boyce has staked his claim for a starting berth in Baku after finishing the campaign as the Scottish Premiership's top scorer with 23 goals.

Notably, Northern Ireland squad held first session in Manchester, UK.

Most of the players who wear the uniform top leagues in England and Northern Ireland did not attend preparation process.