Sanchez picks young Villa nugget

Aston Villa midfielder Steve Davis has been handed the opportunity to play himself into the team for Northern Ireland’s clash with England next month.

The 20-year-old prospect was named in the senior squad for the first time today for the friendly against Canada at Windsor Park on Wednesday.

He was the only uncapped player selected by manager Lawrie Sanchez as he prepares for the back-to-back World Cup qualifiers against England and Poland.

Davis, 20, made his first-team debut for Villa in November and was in the side that lost to Arsenal at the weekend.

Striker Andy Kirk has been recalled after scoring 19 goals for League Two promotion chasers Boston.

Kirk won the last of his five caps in 2003 when he was playing for Hearts.

Northern Ireland squad to face Canada in friendly at Windsor Park on Wednesday:

Carroll (Manchester United), Taylor (Birmingham), McCartney (Sunderland), Capaldi (Plymouth), Craigan (Motherwell), Murdock (Crewe), Hughes (Newcastle), Clyde (Wolves), Baird (Southampton), Williams (MK Dons), Johnson (Birmingham), Gillespie (Leicester), Whitley (Sunderland), Mulryne (Norwich), Davis (Aston Villa), Doherty (Bristol City), Healy (Leeds), Smith (Preston), Kirk (Boston), Jones (Crewe).