Taggart named in Northern Ireland squad

Gerry Taggart has been named in the Northern Ireland squad for next week’s friendly against Cyprus after coming through his latest injury nightmare.

The Leicester centre-half has not played for Northern Ireland since winning his 50th cap against Norway back in February 2001 because of a serious knee problem .

Taggart returned towards the end of last season and the 31-year-old’s comeback is a welcome boost for Northern Ireland manager Sammy McIlroy.

His return is all the more timely for McIlroy after experienced campaigner Jim Magilton announced his international retirement during the summer.

Neil Lennon is also back after being dogged by injuries for most of last season and he only managed one substitute appearance Irish during that time.

James Quinn, who is now with Dutch side Willem II, also returns to the squad and the striker’s last appearance was against Malta in October.

Wednesday’s game at Windsor Park will be Northern Ireland’s final match before the beginning of their Euro 2004 qualifiers in October.

Northern Ireland squad to play Cyprus at Windsor Park on Wednesday: M Taylor (Fulham), R Carroll (Manchester United), D Griffin (Dundee United), G McCartney (Sunderland), M Williams (Wimbledon), C Murdock (Preston), G Taggart (Leicester), P Kennedy (Wigan), M Duff (Cheltenham), Johnson (Birmingham), K Gillespie (Blackburn), N Lennon (Celtic), S Lomas (West Ham), P Mulryne (Norwich), K Horlock (Manchester City), P McVeigh (Norwich), D Healy (Preston), S Elliott (Hull), W Feeney (Bournemouth), J Quinn (Willem II).