Unknown forward tipped to trouble England’s big-name stars
BELFAST: Northern Ireland have recalled Warren Feeney for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against England and the unknown striker has been tipped to trouble England’s big-name defenders at Old Trafford.
While the likes of Rio Ferdinand and centreback partner John Terry strut their stuff in the glamorous surroundings of the Premiership and the Champions League, Feeney plies his trade for Stockport County, who are currently propping up the English Third Division.
But Chris Turner, Feeney’s manager at Stockport, is convinced that his striker’s lack of top level experience will not stop him giving the England defence problems after scoring 17 goals for his club this season.
“(Northern Ireland manager) Lawrie Sanchez should look at Warren’s recent record,” Turner said. “He’s got pace. Northern Ireland’s best chance of beating England would be to get behind the back four and to have someone to score goals. Warren is in that mould.”
Feeney’s return to the squad was not purely based on his current form; first choice striker James Quinn misses out on the England match through suspension.
Birmingham midfielders Damien Johnson and Hull striker Stuart Elliott are both back after missing the friendly against Canada last month through injury.
Aston Villa midfielder Steven Davis retains his place and looks set to start after an impressive debut in a 1-0 defeat by the Canadians at Windsor Park in Belfast.
“Steven is very confident,” Sanchez said of the 20-year-old. “We were impressed with the abilities he had in day to day training and his fearlessness.
“He has settled in straight away and he will be one for many years to come – hopefully. I saw him play Chelsea on Boxing Day and he certainly didn’t look out of place there with the calibre of players around him.”
Northern Ireland go into Saturday’s match with little realistic prospect of securing the one automatic qualifying place for next year’s World Cup Finals on offer in Group Six.
After three draws and a defeat in their first four matches, Sanchez’s squad are six points adrift of group leaders England. But a shock win at Old Trafford on Saturday would rekindle their hopes of claiming second place in the group, which would give them a chance of qualifying via the playoffs.
The Northern Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Roy Carroll (Manchester Utd), Maik Taylor (Birmingham).
Defenders: Mark Williams (Rushden and Diamonds), Stephen Craigan (Motherwell), Colin Murdock (Crewe), Aaron Hughes (Newcastle), Mark Clyde (Wolves), Chris Baird (Southampton), Tony Capaldi (Plymouth), George McCartney (Sunderland).
Midfielders: Damien Johnson (Birmingham), Jeff Whitley (Sunderland), Tommy Doherty (Bristol City), Chris Brunt (Sheff Wed), Steven Davis (Aston Villa), Keith Gillespie (Leicester), Phil Mulryne (Norwich).
Forwards: Steve Jones (Crewe), Stuart Elliott (Hull), Andrew Smith (Preston), Andrew Kirk (Northampton), David Healy (Leeds), Warren Feeney (Stockport). – AFP
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