With eight international caps and playing regularly at Plymouth Argyle in the Championship before his injury, Hazard would have proven the natural deputy.
Pierce Charles, brother of midfielder Shea Charles, has put in a string of impressive performances for the Northern Ireland Under-21s this year, most especially in an away victory over Serbia in March and then when keeping a clean sheet against England last month.
O’Neill was sufficiently impressed with the 19-year-old to bring him along with the senior squad to Spain for a pair of friendlies in June. Although Charles did not win a first cap, O’Neill cited his ability on the ball as a major attribute to his game.
“Pierce is one of those goalkeepers that everyone is looking for in the modern game,” O’Neill said before those friendlies.
“He’s got great distribution, real composure with the ball at his feet and we know at Sheffield Wednesday they really regard him highly.”
He has, however, been on the bench at Hillsborough with England Under-21 international James Beadle having been handed the number one jersey after his arrival from Brighton and Hove Albion on a season-long loan deal.
In a similar position at his club is Luke Southwood, the 26-year-old who was on the bench against Luxembourg and Bulgaria last month in Hazard’s absence.
The Bolton Wanderers man, who won his sole cap in a 3-1 friendly win over Luxembourg in 2022, did start the 2-2 draw with Shrewsbury Town for his League One side last weekend but has spent the majority of the season behind Nathan Baxter.
O’Neill has consistently stressed a desire for his international players to be regularly playing at as high a level possible at their clubs.
Yet, before two important fixtures for his side, he is left with a decision between two keepers with precious few minutes in league action this season.
Northern Ireland are adjusting to life without Manchester United defender Jonny Evans, who called time on his international career last month. And the keeper who gets the nod will find their task made no easier by the absence of centre-back Dan Ballard through injury.
And yet should either impress in this unexpected opportunity, after Peacock-Farrell’s recent struggles for club and country, it just might give O’Neill something to think about moving towards next year’s World Cup qualifiers.