Worthington recalls Healy to Northern Ireland squad

Rangers striker David Healy has been recalled to the Northern Ireland squad for next month’s Euro 2012 qualifier against the Faroe Islands, with uncapped Derry City forward James McClean also in Nigel Worthington’s 23-man group.

Healy, 31, was dropped for the Carling Nations Cup games against the Republic of Ireland and Wales in May due to Worthington’s concerns over his lack of game time at club level.

McClean, 22, could also get the chance to impress in the August 10 encounter at Windsor Park after having caught the eye with some fine displays in the Airtricity League.

Healy’s Rangers team-mate Kyle Lafferty remains sidelined after a hernia operation, however.

Young defender Ryan McGivern, who scored his first goal for Manchester City in their pre-season friendly win over Club America earlier this month, has also been included in Worthington’s first squad since Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan announced his retirement from international football at the age of 34 last week.

Northern Ireland head into the match second bottom of Group C – two points above the Faroes – having picked up six points from their first five games. They lie five points behind second-placed Slovenia but have games in hand on all their rivals.

Northern Ireland squad for Euro 2012 qualifier against the Faroe Islands on Wednesday, August 10 at Windsor Park (1945 kick-off):

Tuffey (Inverness), Camp (Nottingham Forest), Mannus (St Johnstone); J Evans (Manchester United), McGivern (Manchester City), Cathcart (Blackpool), McAuley (West Brom), Hughes (Fulham), Hodson (Watford); Baird (Fulham), McCann (Peterborough), McGinn (Celtic, on loan at Brentford), Gorman (Wolves), C Evans (Hull), Davis (Rangers), Clingan (Coventry), McCourt (Celtic); Feeney (Oldham), McQuoid (Millwall), McClean (Derry), Healy (Rangers), Ward (Derby), Paterson (Burnley).