Imps Named In Ireland Squad

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19th May 2006

For the first time in living memory - if ever - Lincoln City have two players named in the same full international squad.

Northern Ireland have this afternoon named an 18-man squad for a tour of the United States. Included in the squad are Lincoln City's defensive duo of Gareth McAuley and Jeff Hughes.

During their tour, Northern Ireland will play friendly matches against Uruguary and Romania. Their first match is against Uruguary on Sunday May 21st in New Jersey. Then on May 26th, they play Romania in Chicago.

The inclusion of Hughes represent a dramatic turnaround for the left-back. Just six months ago, he was unable to gain a regular first team place in the Lincoln City side. Since January, he has not only become a first team regular but has also made his debut for the Northern Ireland Under-21 side. He quickly became a regular in their side and has been on the winning side in all five of the matches that he has played for Northern Ireland Under-21 side.

Should Hughes play in either friendly, then he will win his first senior international cap.

Meanwhile, McAuley is set to create history should he play in either friendly. McAuley currently jointly holds the Lincoln City FC club record of three international caps alongside David Pugh (Wales) and George Moulson (Republic of Ireland).

Northern Ireland squad:

Goalkeepers
Michael Ingham (Wrexham)
Alan Blayney (Doncaster Rovers)

Defenders
Colin Murdock (Rotherham United)
Stephen Craigan (Motherwell)
Tony Capaldi (Plymouth Argyle)
Michael Duff (Burnley)
Gareth McAuley (Lincoln City)
Sean Webb (Ross County)
Jeff Hughes (Lincoln City)

Midfielders
Steve Jones (Burnley)
Sammy Clingan (Nottingham Forest)
Steve Davis (Aston Villa)
Ivan Sproule (Hibernian)
Mark Hughes (Oldham Athletic)

Forwards
James Quinn (Peterborough United)
Peter Thompson (Linfield)
Dean Shiels (Hibernian)
Kyle Lafferty (Burnley)

Please click the links to view cheap merchandise for Northern Ireland, Aston Villa, Burnley, Hibernian, Motherwell, Nottm Forest, Oldham, Peterborough, Plymouth, Rotherham, Republic of Ireland, USA, Wales or the 2006 World Cup in general.

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