Friday 5 October 2012

Steve Bruce Gets Northern Call

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Hull City's Alex Bruce has been handed his first Northern Ireland call-up after his decision to switch allegiance from the Republic of Ireland.

Manager Michael O'Neill has included the defender in the squad for the World Cup qualifier against Portugal.

Bruce won his two Republic caps in friendlies in 2007 and 2008.

Another Hull defender Joe Dudgeon is also handed a first call-up with David Healy returning to the squad but goalkeeper Lee Camp is not included.

Nottingham Forest keeper Camp lost the Northern Ireland number one jersey for last month's opening World Cup qualifier against Russia in Moscow and then opted out of the home game against Luxembourg for personal reasons.

Roy Carroll played between the posts in last month's two qualifiers and joined in the squad for the Porto clash by St Johnstone's Alan Mannus and Falkirk's Michael McGovern.

Because both of Bruce's Republic caps were in friendlies, he is eligible to represent Northern Ireland and he replaces suspended centre-back Gareth McAuley in Michael O'Neill's squad.

In recent years, several Northern Ireland-born players have switched allegiance south of the border.

These include Everton duo Darron Gibson and Shane Duffy plus Stoke's Marc Wilson.

Bruce, the son of Hull manager Steve Bruce, was eligible for international football for Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and England, where he was born.

He was called up by Northern Ireland Under-21s but opted to play for the Republic Under-21s instead.

Bruce then made his Republic senior debut against Ecuador in New York in 2007 and played against Poland a year later at Croke Park but losing his place in Giovanni Trapattoni's squad.

He also captained the Republic's B team in a game against Nottingham Forest in 2008.

Northern Ireland's record goalscorer Healy returns after missing the opening qualifiers because of a lack of competitive football.

Peterborough's Grant McCann is also recalled while Burnley's Martin Paterson and Celtic's Pat McCourt return after injury.

Chris Brunt and Jamie Ward are both unavailable because of hamstring injuries.

Northern Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Roy Carroll (Olympiakos), Alan Mannus (St Johnstone), Michael McGovern (Falkirk)

Defenders: Aaron Hughes (Fulham), Ryan McGivern (Manchester City), Jonny Evans (Manchester United), Craig Cathcart (Blackpool), Alex Bruce (Hull), James McPake (Hibernian), Joe Dudgeon (Hull)

Midfielders: Chris Baird (Fulham), Steven Davis (Southampton), Grant McCann (Peterborough), Oliver Norwood (Huddersfield), Corry Evans (Hull), Niall McGinn (Aberdeen), Shane Ferguson (Newcastle), Pat McCourt (Celtic), Josh Carson (Ipswich)

Forwards: Martin Paterson (Burnley), David Healy (Bury), Dean Shiels (Rangers), Kyle Lafferty (FC Sion), Will Grigg (Walsall)


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