Derry duo in NI squad

DERRY pair Paddy McCourt and Shane Ferguson are both in Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland squad, that face Portugal, in a World Cup qualifier, on Tuesday, October 16.

By The Newsroom

Published 5th Oct 2012, 15:53 BST

The duo along, with ex-Derry City winger Niall McGinn, are joined by former Republic of Ireland international Alex Bruce, while veteran striker David Healy is recalled to the squad, however Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Ian Camp is not in the travelling party.

Ferguson has been in sparkling form for Newcastle United in recent weeks, in fact the Eglinton man has come off the bench twice and started in their Europa League win over Bordeaux last night (Thursday).

In those games against Manchester United, Reading and Bordeaux, the talented winger, who played at left-back against the Frenchmen, produced three tremendous pin-point crosses to set-up goals for both Papiss Cisse (twice) and Demba Ba.

As for McCourt, he has been in and out Neil Lennon’s Celtic side this season.