Northern Ireland call up Adam Barton
Northern Ireland have called up Adam Barton to their squad for the European Qualifying games against Italy and the Faroe Islands in October.
The teenager received his first call up to the senior side after only recently turning out for the under-21 Northern Irish side.
The Preston North End midfielder is only 19 years old, but has interested a number of Premier League clubs with his performances. Though the midfielder is not expected to start he will gain some valuable experience within the squad for the games against
Italy and the Faroe Islands.
Northern Ireland have had a great start to their qualifying campaign. They recorded a superb 1-0 away win against a much more fancied Slovenian side. Slovenia qualified for the last World Cup and were expected to easily beat Northern Ireland. This has already
given the Northern Irish a great chance of qualifying.
Manager, Nigel Worthington will expect to take three points from his encounter with the Faroe Islands and Italy will not be looking forward to playing at Windsor Park. Northern Ireland have proven that they can beat anyone at home and will hope to pick up
at least a point against the Italians.
Celtic’s Pat McCourt will return to the Northern Irish squad and Worthington will be relieved that Rangers Steven Davis will be fit to play in the internationals after injuring his hamstring in a match against Aberdeen.
Barton will be unlikely to feature in the home match against Italy, but if Davis shows any sign of his hamstring injury the teenager may well feature against the Faroe Islands.
Worthington is still unlikely to play the Preston midfielder, but the teenager appears to be a prospect for the future and the Northern Irish manager will consider his promotion to the senior side as an important step in Barton’s development.
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