Healy backed to overcome club woes

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington believes David Healy will go about his business as usual even though the striker’s future at Fulham looks uncertain.

Healy, the province’s record scorer, was today named in a 20-man squad for the friendly against Scotland at Hampden Park a week on Wednesday.

Yet while the 29-year-old is assured of his place in the national team, the arrivals of Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora at Craven Cottage have cast doubts about his role at the club.

Worthington, who worked alongside Healy at Norwich, is convinced the player will remain focussed.

“It is always good to be playing but we will have to see what happens at Fulham with David now they have signed more strikers,” said the former Carrow Road boss.

“However, knowing David like I do, he will get his head down. He will carry with his work in training and if he gets a chance show what he can do in games.”

Healy, who has scored a remarkable 34 goals in 64 matches for Northern Ireland, looks set to continue his partnership with Kyle Lafferty who secured a move to Rangers in the summer from Burnley.

Lafferty helped his new club to a 1-0 victory against Falkirk on Saturday and Worthington was pleased with the striker’s contribution.

He said: “Kyle has moved to a massive club in Rangers and got a full 90 minutes in at the weekend.

“He had a bit of a hand in the goal as well that got them three points. That can only be good for him.”

Worthington has included Keith Gillespie in his squad even though the Sheffield United winger is currently sidelined with an ankle injury.

However the veteran of 81 caps looks to be making good progress after sitting out the 1-0 defeat to Birmingham on Saturday.

Worthington said: “I spoke to Keith last night and he was quite upbeat about the situation. That was good enough for me.

“I am hopeful he will be there or thereabouts for the Scotland game. However, I am not going to force him or make him come back too soon.”

Worthington has named Dean Shiels in his squad for the first time. It is a welcome boost for the Hibernian midfielder, 23, who won the last of his four caps 18 months ago.

“I have brought young Dean in so we can have a good close look at him,” said the Northern Ireland boss.

“I hope he will enjoy it and show what he can do, then go from there. He has age on his side.”

Burnley defender Michael Duff has been recalled after recovering from knee and ligament injuries that forced him to write off most of last season.

Worthington said: “I am delighted to have him back now he is fit again. He is a great pro.

“We have numbers in defence to pick and choose from which is good. We are quite strong in that area.”