Paterson steps up for Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington has sprung a surprise by calling up England-born striker Martin Paterson for the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers against Denmark on 17 November and against Spain four days later.

Returning players
The 20-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent has scored six goals in eleven starts for Scunthorpe United FC in the second tier of English football this season. Paterson is joined in the squad by Cardiff City FC forward Warren Feeney, back from a one-match suspension, and Fulham FC defender Chris Baird who also returns after being banned for last month's 1-1 draw in Sweden. Burnley FC striker Kyle Lafferty, who scored against the Swedes, is included but cannot face Denmark due to a ban. Northern Ireland are fourth in Group F with 17 points, the same as Denmark, but five points behind Spain and six adrift of leaders Sweden.

Northern Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Maik Taylor (Birmingham City FC), Alan Mannus (Linfield FC), Michael McGovern (Celtic FC).

Defenders: Stephen Craigan (Motherwell FC), Tony Capaldi (Cardiff City FC), George McCartney (West Ham United FC), Aaron Hughes (Fulham FC), Gareth McAuley (Leicester City FC), Sean Webb (Ross County FC), Chris Baird (Fulham FC).

Midfielders: Steven Davis (Fulham FC), Sammy Clingan (Nottingham Forest FC), Chris Brunt (West Bromwich Albion FC), Stephen Robinson (Luton Town FC), Keith Gillespie (Sheffield United FC), Ivan Sproule (Bristol City FC).

Forwards: David Healy (Fulham FC), Gary Hamilton (Glentoran FC), Warren Feeney (Cardiff City FC), Kyle Lafferty (Burnley FC), Martin Paterson (Scunthorpe United FC).