Carroll aims to be No 1 North keeper

ROY CARROLL aims to become Northern Ireland’s number one after reclaiming his place between the posts for Manchester United.

Carroll has been preferred to Tim Howard at Old Trafford in recent weeks and plans to win over international manager Lawrie Sanchez and oust Birmingham’s Maik Taylor.

Sanchez may be without some of his top players for the World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan tomorrow but he is spoiled for choice when it comes to goalkeepers with Carroll and Taylor both performing at the top level. Carroll won the first of his 15 caps seven years ago against Thailand and is anxious to make the breakthrough.

“I am still enjoying my time with Northern Ireland but I want to get back in the team,” he said.

Carroll knows it is vital to get something from the games against Azerbaijan and Austria at Windsor Park next Wednesday after picking up one point from two games. Azerbaijan, coached by Brazil’s 1970 World Cup winner Carlos Alberto, drew with Wales as did Sanchez’s men.

Meantime, Jeff Whitley is winning his fight to be fit for the vital qualifier.