Worthington calls up Ward

The 23-man squad for Northern Ireland in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Poland and Slovenia has been named by manager Nigel Worthington.

Northern Ireland are currently second in Group 3 behind Slovakia in the race for a place at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. Sheffield United striker Jamie Ward who has already won seven Under-21 caps is called up to the Senior squad for the first time.

Although they are second in their group the side have equal amount of points with second from bottom Slovenia so the next phase of game are make or break. Glasgow Rangers pair Kyle Lafferty and Steven Davis along with fullback George McCartney are all out against the Poles with suspensions, but will ba back in for the Slovenia tie.

Full Northern Ireland squad

GOALKEEPERS
Maik Taylor (Birmingham City), Alan Mannus (Linfield), Jonathan Tuffey (Partick Thistle)

DEFENDERS
Stephen Craigan (Motherwell), Aaron Hughes (Fulham), Gareth McAuley (Ipswich Town), Ryan McGivern (Man City), Chris Baird (Fulham), Jonny Evans (Man United), George McCartney (Sunderland);


MIDFIELDERS
Grant McCann (Scunthorpe), Chris Brunt (West Brom), Niall McGinn (Celtic), Sammy Clingan (Norwich), Damien Johnson (Birmingham), Pat McCourt (Celtic), Dean Shiels (Doncaster), Steven Davis (Rangers);


STRIKERS
David Healy (Sunderland), Warren Feeney (Cardiff), Martin Paterson (Burnley), Jamie Ward (Sheffield United), Kyle Lafferty (Rangers).