Cathcart 'won't let N. Ireland down'

Manchester United prospect Craig Cathcart will not let Northern Ireland down should he be drafted in to face San Marino on Wednesday in a World Cup qualifier.

That is the view of the province’s under-21 manager Steve Beaglehole, who believes the youngster who is currently on loan at Plymouth is making good progress.

Cathcart has gained promotion to the senior side with Jonny Evans failing to recover from an ankle injury and Chris Baird withdrawing from the squad through illness.

Cathcart was due to play for the under-21s in a friendly against Wales in Ballymena on Tuesday after an impressive display in the victory over Scotland in November.

Instead he will head out with the senior squad tomorrow to their base in the Italian resort of Riccione.

Beaglehole, who has called up Linfield’s Robert Garrett, said: “I am pleased for Craig as he played well against Scotland in our last game.

“I have also seen him in action a couple of times for Plymouth and he has made big strides. He deserves to show what he can do at senior level.

“Craig is a good footballer, you can see why Manchester United signed him. He is comfortable on the ball and reads the game well. He just lacks a bit of physical strength at the moment.”