Bolton Wanderers’ defender Eoin Toal has been withdrawn from the Northern Ireland squad, as confirmed by their official club website. The 26-year-old centre-back has returned to the club for assessment to understand how long he may be sidelined.
This season, Toal has made 22 appearances across all competitions for the Trotters, with 19 of these in the league, scoring two goals. His contract at the ToughSheet Community Stadium runs until the summer of 2027, meaning he has two years left on his current deal.
Northern Ireland’s boss Michael O'Neill, who previously managed Stoke City, expressed his disappointment over Toal’s early withdrawal. He stated, “We are naturally disappointed for Eoin to withdraw so early on in the camp, however I am confident that Kofi (Balmer) can come in and make an impact,” highlighting his faith in the squad’s depth. O’Neill added, “I’m looking forward to regrouping for these important warm-up games against very good opposition.”
As for Bolton, they need to assess Toal over the coming days, as his absence would be a significant blow, especially with the team chasing a playoff spot. Bolton Wanderers lost their last match 1-0 to Stockport County and are set to face Blackpool away after the international break.
This season has been particularly injury-stricken for Toal, limiting his participation significantly. The Armagh-born player joined Bolton back in 2022 and has tallied up 104 matches in total, netting 10 goals during his time with the club. He made quite an impact in his first year, helping the Trotters reach the top six under former boss Ian Evatt, although they lost at the semi-final stage to Barnsley.
In the following season, Bolton made it to the final but succumbed to a defeat at Wembley against Oxford United. Reflecting on his journey, Toal previously shared, “It’s a proud moment for myself and my family. Coming over here you want to kick on and do as well as you can. Everyone has made me feel so welcome since I joined. It’s flown by so I’m happy to extend my stay,” clearly expressing his commitment to the club.
Meanwhile, Leyton Orient loanee Jamie Donley has received his first call-up to the Northern Ireland international team, breaking new ground in his young career. According to head coach Michael O’Neill, Donley has been on their radar for quite some time. “We’re also pleased to welcome Jamie into the squad. He is a young player that we have been tracking for some time,” O'Neill stated.
Donley, 20, initially joined Leyton Orient on loan from Tottenham Hotspur last summer. He has since made 40 appearances for the League One side, contributing six goals and six assists this season. O’Neill mentioned that they are awaiting the relevant paperwork from FIFA to determine Donley's participation in upcoming friendlies against Switzerland at home and Sweden away, but emphasized the importance of having him familiarize himself with the squad.
The young attacker, who was born in Antrim, Northern Ireland, but raised in Colchester, England, joined Tottenham in 2013 and signed his first professional contract with the club in 2022. He has even made four appearances for Tottenham's first team, and reportedly, they will face a decision on whether to keep him on loan or reintegrate him into the Premier League squad after his return.
Former Northern Ireland defender Stephen Craigan expressed excitement over Donley's eagerness to represent the national team. “I’m quite excited that he wants to come and play for Northern Ireland,” he noted. “He’s probably had a look at the likes of Conor Bradley, Daniel Ballard, Trai Hume, Callum Marshall, Shea Charles, Isaac Price…young guys who have started their international career at a very young age and have now started to accumulate a good number of caps.”
Following his first call-up, Donley looks forward to showcasing his skills on the international level. Leyton Orient are getting back to action after the international break with a home match against Stevenage, hoping to build on their recent 2-1 victory over Blackpool.
The coming weeks will be crucial for both players—the status of Toal’s fitness is vital for Bolton Wanderers as they strive for playoff contention, and Jamie Donley's debut could represent a stepping stone in his blossoming career.
