Sanchez names first NI squad for friendly

Lawrie Sanchez has named his first ever side as Northern Ireland manager for next week's friendly with Norway at Windsor Park.

The only surprise in the 24-man squad sees the return of Nottingham Forest midfielder Danny Sonner after an absence of three years.

Irish League players Andy Smith and Gary Hamilton, of Glentoran and Portadown respectively, retain their places after being handed debuts under former boss Sammy McIlroy.

Next Wednesday's game is the first in a five match build up to the 2006 World Cup Qualifiers in which Northern Ireland are paired with England and Wales.

Next month Sanchez' men travel to Estonia for a friendly inTallinn. Then a three match Caribbean Tour has been organised for June against St Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

Next week's squad to face Norway is as follows:

NI squad - Goalkeepers: Maik Taylor (Birmingham City), Roy Carroll (Manchester United); Defenders: George McCartney (Sunderland), Aaron Hughes (Newcastle United), Stephen Craigan (Motherwell), Chris Baird (Southampton), Peter Kennedy (Wigan Athletic), Colin Murdock (Hibs), Danny Griffin (Stockport County), Mark Williams (Wimbledon).

Midfielders: Keith Gillespie (Leicester City), Michael Hughes (Crystal Palace), Steve Jones (Crewe), Jeff Whitley (Sunderland), Philip Mulryne (Norwich City), Damien Johnson (Birmingham City), Danny Sonner (Nottingham Forest).

Forwards: David Healy (Preston North End), Andy Smith (Glentoran), Andrew Kirk (Hearts), Gary Hamilton (Portadown), Stuart Elliott (Hull City), Paul McVeigh (Norwich City), James Quinn (Willem II).

(MB)