Hughes still in my thoughts: McIlroy

NORTHERN IRELAND manager Sammy McIlroy yesterday offered Michael Hughes a pick-me-up after dropping him from his squad.

The 31-year-old midfielder has been invited to train with the players ahead of the friendly against Finland at Windsor Park a week tonight.

Hughes has not played a club match this season because of a bitter contractual dispute involving Wimbledon and Birmingham.

An independent arbitration panel has yet to sit and Hughes finds himself left in limbo following the closing of the transfer window.

He played for his country in their last Euro 2004 qualifier against Ukraine in October, but his lack of action since then has forced McIlroy to take a tough stand.

“I would have loved to have picked Michael in the squad as he is one of our more experienced players, but he hasn’t played any matches,” said the Irish boss.

“What I am definitely going to try and do is get him over for a couple of days’ training with the players next week.

“I have spoken to the boy and I am going to ring him again, now the squad has been released.

“The lad is on his knees with all this business still going on. He is very unhappy, but hopefully training with us will give him a boost.”

Patrick Thistle defender Stephen Craigan is the only newcomer in McIlroy’s 19-man squad for the warm-up match ahead of the Euro 2004 qualifiers against Armenia and Greece.

He has named an experienced pool, including the likes of Gerry Taggart, Steve Lomas, Kevin Horlock and Keith Gillespie.

Apart from Hughes, only Danny Griffin of the regular members is absent. The Dundee United defender is still troubled by a back injury.

The Irish picked up a point in their last outing against Ukraine, but the 0-0 draw meant they had failed to score in five games.

That burden could fall of the shoulders of Norwich striker Paul McVeigh, who has scored 13 goals this season.

McIlroy said: “The squad looks good and hopefully the majority can come through the weekend without any problems.”

Meanwhile, John Collins will consider hanging up his boots and moving into coaching when his Fulham contract expires in the summer.

The former Scotland midfielder, who turned 35 on Friday, has been dumped in the reserves by Cottagers boss Jean Tigana.

The former Celtic, Monaco and Everton man was denied a loan move to Coventry last week and is now mulling over his future in football.