Barton wins N Ireland call

Preston youngster Adam Barton has been called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Italy and the Faroe Islands.

Barton has broken into the Preston side this season and he has been rewarded with his first call-up to the senior Northern Ireland squad.

Celtic duo Paddy McCourt and Niall McGinn also return to the fold after missing the win over Slovenia earlier this month.

Craig Cathcart maintains his place in the squad after earning a recall for the Slovenia tie.

Wolves winger Johnny Gorman also retains his place in the squad along with Corry Evans who scored the winner against Slovenia.

Nigel Worthington has named a 22-man squad for the clash with Italy at Windsor Park on 8th October before travelling to the Faroe Islands four days later.

Worthington has no worries at introducing Barton and has been impressed by the midfielder's development.

"I am delighted to bring Adam in. I have monitored him very closely and he has always caught the eye.

"I have no qualms about bringing him into the senior group."

Squad:Taylor (Birmingham), Tuffey (Inverness), Blayney (Linfield); J Evans (Manchester Utd), Craigan (Motherwell), Cathcart (Blackpool), McAuley (Ipswich), Hughes (Fulham), Baird (Fulham); McCann (Peterborough), Brunt (West Brom), Gorman (Wolves), C Evans (Manchester United), Davis (Rangers), McGinn (Celtic), Barton (Preston), Clingan (Coventry); Healy (Sunderland), Feeney (Oldham), Lafferty (Rangers), McCourt (Celtic), Patterson (Plymouth).

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