Motherwell midfielder Stuart Elliott has been called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the first time for next month's opening World Cup qualifier against Malta. Elliott, who joined the Scottish Premier League side from Glentoran during the summer, takes the place of Jeff Whitley, who steps down to captain the Under-21s.
The call-up caps a memorable few days for the 22-year-old, who made three Under-21 appearances, after he scored twice on his Motherwell debut in the 3-2 defeat at Kilmarnock on Saturday. Boss Sammy McIlroy has named a 20-man squad and there are no places for Hearts striker Andy Kirk and Linfield hitman Davy Larmour, who was a late call-up for last week's friendly against Yugoslavia.
Squad.
Carroll (Wigan), Taylor (Fulham), Nolan (Bradford), A Hughes (Newcastle), Williams (Wimbledon), Taggart (Leicester), Griffin (Dundee Utd), Murdock (Preston), Lomas (West Ham), Lennon (Leicester), Gillespie (Blackburn), Johnson (Blackburn), Horlock (Man City), Mulryne (Norwich), Magilton (Ipswich), Elliott (Motherwell), Healy (Man Utd), Quinn (West Brom), McKnight (St Mirren), Gray (Burnley). (PA)
