Fresh faces for Worthington

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington has called uncapped midfielders Michael Gault and Michael O’Connor into his 22-man squad for next week’s home friendly against Georgia.

Goalkeeper Roy Carroll, who recently joined Derby from Rangers, returns as cover for Birmingham’s Maik Taylor while Cardiff striker Warren Feeney and Hull’s Stuart Elliott, currently on loan at Doncaster, are back from injury.

Gault, 24, wins a first call-up after an outstanding season for Carnegie Premier League champions Linfield, for whom he has played more than 200 games. Crewe’s O’Connor makes the step up from the Under-21 squad.

The country’s 33-goal record scorer David Healy keeps his place although he has not started for Fulham since the FA Cup third round replay defeat at Bristol Rovers in January.

Northern Ireland were beaten 1-0 by Bulgaria on their last outing at Windsor Park in February.