Williams back for Northern Ireland
Tuesday, 19 March 2002 11:37Wimbledon defender Mark Williams has been recalled to the Northern Ireland squad after a nine-month absence to face Liechtenstein next week. Williams has not played for Northern Ireland this season because of a broken leg and won his last cap against the Czech Republic back in June.
The centre-half has just returned to action with the Dons and has assured Irish boss Sammy McIlroy he is fit enough to play next Wednesday. Williams' return is all the more welcome for Northern Ireland because Newcastle's Aaron Hughes is injured, while Michael Duff is needed by Cheltenham.
McIlroy had wanted to draft in the uncapped Pat McCourt from Rochdale but was thwarted because of the young defender's club commitments. Instead McIlroy has called up the uncapped Shaun Holmes of Wrexham and recalled Wigan's Ian Nolan to provide cover for his backline.
Northern Ireland squad: Carroll, Taylor, McCartney, Holmes, Williams, Nolan, Kennedy, Griffin, Lomas, McCann, Lennon, Magilton, Johnson, Mulryne, McVeigh, Horlock, Hughes, Gillespie, Elliott, Feeney, Healy.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
