James McClean in action for Northern Ireland U21s in 2009
James McClean has left the
Northern Ireland squad to face the Faroe Islands after becoming the
latest player to opt for the Republic of Ireland.
The Derry City winger, who is set to join Sunderland,
informed boss Nigel Worthington of his decision three days after his
first call-up.
"My dream has always been to play for the Republic of Ireland," said McClean.
Martin Paterson (thigh) and Josh McQuoid (hamstring) have both been ruled out of the Euro 2012 qualifier.
McClean has been in fine form for his club in the Airtricity Premier Division.
The likes of Darron Gibson, Shane Duffy, Marc Wilson and
Daniel Kearns are among those to have taken advantage of a Fifa ruling
that allows players from the island of Ireland to choose which national
side they represent providing they have not played for the other in a
competitive senior international.
Although Worthington hopes to add Alex Bruce - twice capped
by the Republic in friendlies - to the Northern Ireland ranks, the IFA
have publicly bemoaned that the ruling has had a destabilising effect on
them.
"I think Nigel understood where I was coming from and I think he appreciated the phone call.
"I don't want to be tied up internationally at this stage of my career and I'm prepared to take a risk in that regard."
Worthington is concentrating on Windsor Park clash after the loss of the trio.
"It is disappointing to lose players ahead of an important
qualifier, but our focus remains on Wednesday night and the players
available for the game against the Faroe Islands," he said.
McQuoid suffered a knock in training which ruled him out of Millwall's season opener against Reading.
Paterson had been included in the squad for the first time in
a year but came off injured at half-time during his side's game against
Watford.
"Martin said he couldn't play to his full potential so he had
to come off - he won't go with Northern Ireland now," said Burnley
manager Eddie Howe on Saturday.
"We need to make sure we get him 100%.
"I wouldn't say it was a recurrence of any injury but Martin was just not feeling 100%.
"He has done all his pre-season and been fine, so it came as a
bit of a surprise because I thought he looked quite sharp in the first
half against Watford."
With Kyle Lafferty ruled out, Paterson would have been vying
with David Healy, Warren Feeney and Jamie Ward for starting berths up
front against the Faroes on Wednesday.
Healy, Northern Ireland's record goalscorer, has been
recalled after being left out of the squad for the Nations Cup games
against the Republic of Ireland and Wales in May.
Paterson and Ward also earned recalls, but manager Worthington's striking options have now been further limited.
St Johnstone keeper Alan Mannus replaces injured Maik Taylor.
Healy's Rangers club-mate Lafferty is sidelined after
undergoing a hernia operation while Chris Brunt is ruled out by
suspension.
Martin Paterson won his last cap against Montenegro a year ago
Mannus, who recently moved from Shamrock Rovers to St
Johnstone, takes one of the three goalkeeper slots with veteran keeper
Taylor ruled out for the game at Windsor Park by a shoulder injury.
Derby County striker Ward has been on the bench for four Northern Ireland games but has yet to earn a cap.
Burnley forward Paterson has not featured for Nigel
Worthington's side since coming on as a substitute against Montenegro
last August.
Healy, 31, spoke of his disappointment after being omitted for the Nations Cup games in May.
The striker, who has scored 35 international goals, was handed a one-year contract extension by Rangers in June.
Healy has not played since coming on as a substitute in the qualifier against Serbia in March.
He picked up a booking in that game which ruled him out of
the clash against Slovenia before being omitted for the two Nations Cup
games in May.
Healy made clear his unhappiness at being left out for the
games against the Republic of Ireland and Wales but is now back in
favour.
"Like everyone else, he'll (Healy) will be watched and monitored when we meet," said Worthington.
The manager added that the door remains open for Stephen
Craigan to return to the squad if he reverses his recent decision to
retire from international duty.
Northern Ireland head into the match second bottom of Group C
- two points above the Faroes - having picked up six points from their
first five games.
They lie five points behind second-placed Slovenia but have games in hand on all their rivals.
Northern Ireland squad
Goalkeepers - Tuffey (Inverness Caledonian Thistle), Camp (Nottingham Forest), Mannus (St Johnstone)
Defenders - J Evans (Manchester United),
McGivern (Manchester City), Cathcart (Blackpool), McAuley (West Brom),
Hughes (Fulham), Hodson (Watford)
Midfielders - Baird (Fulham), McCann
(Peterborough United), McGinn (Celtic - on loan at Brentford), Gorman
(Wolves), C Evans (Hull City), Davis (Rangers), Clingan (Coventry City),
McCourt (Celtic)
Forwards - Feeney (Oldham Athletic), Healy (Rangers), Ward (Derby County).
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