Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington has praised Town midfielder Josh Carson’s confidence ahead of his full international debut in this evening’s Carling Nations Cup game against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin (Sky Sports One/HD1 7.30pm). Blues defender Damien Delaney has been named in the Republic of Ireland team.
Worthington has been a regular visit to Portman Road this season and has been impressed with the youngster: "Josh Carson I have seen a few times and he's always performed well. He'll get his first cap and it'll be good for him and good for us.
"For a 17-year-old he's very confident in his own ability and very assured on what he can do.”
Departing Town defender and Northern Ireland skipper Gareth McAuley, whose move to West Brom was officially confirmed yesterday, believes his former team-mate has a big future: "He's a lively little player.
"Quite direct, will run at people and likes to get on the ball. He played the last eight games and scored three goals, and that's not bad for a raw kid in the Championship.
"He’s got a lot of potential and he’s an exciting prospect, one for the future. He's a good lad, he's driven and he loves Northern Ireland, so it's good to have him in the squad.”
Former Linfield, Ballyclare Comrades, Crusaders and Coleraine player McAuley feels his move into the Premier League should be an example to some of his international team-mates: "For the young lads from the Irish League that are in this squad, if they've got ambitions to move and can work hard, the proof is there that you can get the rewards.
"Getting away from Coleraine and getting across was the first step, then it was getting the head down and working hard to keep improving.”
After his spell in Northern Irish football, McAuley was with Lincoln and Leicester before joining the Blues for a fee of £1.1 million in the summer of 2008.
Northern Ireland: Blayney (Linfield),Thompson (Watford), Cathcart (Blackpool), McAuley (West Brom), Hodson (Watford), Carson (Ipswich Town), Clingan (Coventry City), Davis (Rangers), Gorman (Wolves), Feeney (Oldham Athletic), McQuoid (Millwall).
Republic of Ireland: Given (Manchester City), McShane (Hull City), Delaney (Ipswich Town), Kelly (Fulham), Wilson (Stoke City), Lawrence (Portsmouth)/Coleman (Everton), Andrews (Blackburn Rovers), Fahey (Birmingham City)/Foley (Wolves), Treacy (Preston North End), Keane (Tottenham Hotspur), Cox (West Brom).