Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington has recalled Celtic pair Niall McGinn and Paddy McCourt to his squad for next month’s Euro 2012 qualifiers against Italy and the Faroe Islands next month.
McGinn has recovered from a broken foot, while McCourt is expected to be fit for at least one of the qualifiers despite being currently sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Promising Preston midfielder Adam Barton has been drafted into the senior squad for the first time. The 20-year-old has been fast-tracked after making six league appearances for his club this season and scoring once.
Blackburn-born Barton, who qualifies through one of his parents, has played for Northern Ireland’s Under-19 side.
Squad:Taylor (Birmingham), Tuffey (Inverness), Blayney (Linfield); J Evans (Manchester Utd), Craigan (Motherwell), Cathcart (Blackpool), McAuley (Ipswich), Hughes (Fulham), Baird (Fulham); McCann (Peterborough), Brunt (West Brom), Gorman (Wolves), C Evans (Manchester United), Davis (Rangers), McGinn (Celtic), Barton (Preston), Clingan (Coventry); Healy (Sunderland), Feeney (Oldham), Lafferty (Rangers), McCourt (Celtic), Patterson (Plymouth).