Second test for Thompson

Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez has given another chance to Linfield striker Peter Thompson.

Thompson has been named in the squad to face Estonia in a friendly at Windsor Park on Wednesday, even though his expected move in the January transfer window never materialised.

He has remained part-time and continues to work as a postman in Belfast. Motherwell’s Brian McLean is also included along with highly-rated Ivan Sproule of Hibernian.

Sanchez will be without his captain Aaron Hughes as he has a calf strain. Goalkeeper Maik Taylor is expected to take the armband, while Taylor’s Birmingham team-mate Damien Johnson is also ruled out with a knee injury.

Sanchez is looking to complete a notable double over Estonia. He chalked up his first win as the North’s manager against the Baltic nation.