Northern Ireland boss Sammy McIlroy has named his squad for the Euro 2004 qualifying matches against Spain and Ukraine but he must do without Celtic midfielder Neil Lennon. Lennon made the decision to quit the international scene when he received a death threat in the hours before Northern Ireland's friendly against Cyprus last August.
Although the IFA have left the door open for Lennon's return, it looks unlikely that the former captain will change his mind. West Ham midfielder Steve Lomas, back in the squad after being injured, is expected to take over the captaincy.
There is some good news for McIlroy though, as he has all his main players available for selection with the exception of Lennon and Jim Magilton who recently retired from the international scene.
Gerry Taggart has not played for his country since February of last year due to a series of injuries but he returns to the squad along with Aaron Hughes, Michael Hughes and Philip Mulryne.
Northern Ireland squad: Taylor (Fulham), Carroll (Man Utd), Griffin (Dundee Utd), Murdock (Preston), Williams (Wimbledon), McCartney (Sunderland), M Hughes (Wimbledon), A Hughes (Newcastle), Taggart (Leicester), Johnson (Birmingham), Horlock (Man City), Gillespie (Blackburn), Healy (Preston), Mulryne (Norwich), Lomas (West Ham), Quinn (Willem 11), McVeigh (Norwich), Kirk (Hearts).
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
