Sammy McIlroy has named his squad for Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Bulgaria. Neil Lennon has been included following his decision to continue playing international football after receiving sectarian abuse from some supporters during last month’s friendly against Norway at Windsor Park.
Northern Ireland play host to the Czech Republic on March 24, then travel to Bulgaria for their qualifying match, four days later. Tommy Wright makes way for Roy Carroll, who returns following injury, and Norwich striker Adrian Coote and Linfield’s Glenn Ferguson remain in the squad. However, there are no places for Blackburn’s Keith Gillespie or Birmingham’s Danny Sonner.
The squad in full:
Carroll (Wigan), Taylor (Fulham), Hughes (Newcastle), Taggart (Leicester), Griffin (Dundee Utd), Murdock (Preston), Williams (Wimbledon), Nolan (Bradford), Kennedy (Watford), Elliott (Motherwell), Lennon (Celtic), Magilton (Ipswich), Jeff Whitley (Man City), McCarthy (Birmingham), Johnson (Blackburn), Healy (Preston), Kirk (Hearts), Gray (Oxford), Ferguson (Linfield), Coote (Norwich).
Filed by Greg McKevitt
