Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has reported a clean bill of health among his squad as they begin their preparations for Thursday’s friendly international against Guinea in the Cadiz area of Spain (17:00 BST).

O’Neill’s side will face World Cup-bound France in another friendly encounter on the outskirts of Lille on Monday 8 June (20:10 BST).

The NI boss confirmed on Monday that all 23 members of his panel had arrived in camp ahead of the two matches.

The first game against Guinea will be staged at Estadio Ciudad de La Linea, with the meeting with the French taking place at the Decathlon Arena – Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

The squad selected for the double-header includes uncapped teenagers Braiden Graham and Ceadach O’Neill.

O’Neill must plan without a number of players however, including Dan Ballard, Paddy McNair, Terry Devlin, Eoin Toal, George Saviile and Brad Lyons.

The games will act as preparation for Northern Ireland’s Nations League campaign, which commences in September.

“We’ve had all the players arrive into camp fit and well, which is exactly what you want ahead of an important international window,” said O’Neill, who signed an extension to his contract last week keeping him at the helm until 2032.

“The mood within the squad is already very positive, and there’s a real sense of optimism as we prepare for the games against Guinea and France.

“The players are looking forward to getting back on the pitch together and testing themselves in two different but valuable fixtures. Our focus now is on making the most of the training time we have and ensuring we’re ready to perform well in both matches.”

Northern Ireland squad:

Goalkeepers – Pierce Charles (Sheffield Wednesday), Josh Clarke (Partick Thistle), Luke Southwood (Bristol Rovers).

Defenders – Ciaron Brown and Brodie Spencer (both Oxford United), Trai Hume (Sunderland), Ruairi McConville (Norwich City), Tom Atcheson (Blackburn Rovers).

Midfielders – Alistair McCann (Preston North End), Shea Charles (Southampton), Isaac Price (West Bromwich Albion), Paul Smyth (Queens Park Rangers), Ethan Galbraith (Swansea City), Justin Devenny (Crystal Palace), Jamie McDonnell (Oxford United), Patrick Kelly (Barnsley), Kieran Morrison (Liverpool).

Forwards – Josh Magennis (Exeter City), Callum Marshall (West Ham United), Jamie Reid (Stevenage), Jamie Donley (Tottenham Hotspur), Braiden Graham (Everton), Ceadach O’Neill (Arsenal).

Players eliminated in the second round of the men’s singles receive 130,000 euros ($151,000 or £112,000) in prize money.

After organisers said they would fine Vallejo on Friday, the world number 71 apologised on social media.

“I have respect for the umpires and for the job they do, after a five-hour battle I was very heated and felt a lot of emotions, I apologise,” Vallejo posted on Instagram.

According to the Grand Slam rulebook, Vallejo could have received a fine of up to $100,000 (£74,200) for unsportsmanlike conduct.

New Zealand Rugby has denied any involvement in a reported U-turn by Fehi Fineanganofo over a move to England to join Newcastle Red Bulls for next season.

The prolific wing, who has equalled the single-season Super Rugby record by scoring 16 tries for the Hurricanes this term, was announced as one of Newcastle’s incoming signings in January.

Fineanganofo’s form since has put him firmly on the radar of New Zealand coach Dave Rennie, but a move aboard would make the 23-year-old ineligible for the All Blacks.

A report in New Zealand last week, external claimed that the country’s rugby authorities had found a solution to keep Fineanganofo down under, leaving Newcastle officials “very, very upset”.

In 2015, New Zealand Rugby reached an agreement with Clermont Auvergne to tear up a contract that would have taken wing Waisake Naholo to France and out of Test contention.

However, the union insists there will not be a repeat in Fineanganofo’s case. It says its stance is unchanged since an interview given by chief executive Steve Lancaster a fortnight ago.

“We don’t really do that. These are player choices,” Lancaster said, external of the possibility of buying Fineanganofo out his Red Bulls contract.

“There’s nothing stopping Fehi from doing that, but it’s not a space we get into, looking to buy players out of contracts.

“Things have changed a lot for him since the end of last year. He’s taken every opportunity he’s been given so good on him.

“If he has a change of heart, that’s absolutely up to him.

“The ball is in his court around that. But even if he does honour his contract to Newcastle, he’s still young. He might well be back.”

World Rugby rules prohibit a union inducing a player to break their club contract, just as clubs are banned from offering players extra money to end their international careers.

However, uncapped Fineanganofo, who has spoken of his desire to earn enough money so his parents can retire, will be aware that representing the All Blacks would boost his pay.

The New Zealand Herald estimates, external that, even with international recognition, his two-year Red Bulls contract – at a reported £200,000 a year – would still trump what he would earn by staying at home.

But the rise in profile from playing Test matches, particularly with the Rugby World Cup taking place in Australia in 2027, could lead to a lucrative contract later in his career.

Fineanganofo’s agent Bruce Sharrock, who was also Naholo’s agent when his deal with Clermont was annulled, insists it is up to New Zealand Rugby to negotiate with Newcastle if it wants to make his client available to Rennie.

“NZ Rugby had the opportunity to contract Fehi,” he told the Rugby Direct podcast. , external

“What they put on the table was nowhere near the match of what it was. His performance has then ramped up and they have said they now want to hold him.

“That’s fine. Go and have a commercial conversation with the person with the contract and see if you can do a deal.”

Newcastle Red Bulls declined to comment.