Opportunity knocks for Jones

International news: Steve Jones is aiming to take his good form at domestic level into the international arena.

The 29-year-old forward has settled in quickly at Burnley after signing a three-year deal in the summer following his move from Crewe.

With Northern Ireland struggling to score goals, Jones could now be handed his chance against Finland in the friendly in Helsinki on Wednesday.

Manager Lawrie Sanchez is using the game as a warm-up for the opening European Championship qualifier against Iceland on September 2nd.

Jones said: "It is another good opportunity for me.

"I am pleased to be back in the squad and would like to think I am established in the set-up now.

"It may only be a friendly against Finland but the next game being against Iceland, we were looking for similar opposition.

"The qualifiers are at the forefront of everyone's minds now and this should provide a similar style of play that will be good for us." Jones believes his game can come on at Burnley under manager Steve Cotterill.

He said: "Crewe offered me a four-year extension in November but I wanted a fresh challenge and am delighted to come to such a big club.

"Steve Cotterill sold Burnley to me. Obviously he is hopeful for the future and I think we can do good things.

"I would like to think I'm a guy who can bring a lot of pace and goals to the team."

Sanchez has recalled West Ham goalkeeper Roy Carroll to the squad.

Carroll has recovered from a back operation that limited him to 19 appearances for his club last season.

He is one of only two Barclays Premiership players in the 17-man pool - Keith Gillespie of Sheffield United is the other.

Sanchez has called up two promising youngsters in Nottingham Forest midfielder Sammy Clingan and Burnley striker Kyle Lafferty.

Damien Johnson will sit out this week's game as he is suspended for the first two qualifiers, while Steven Davis is injured.

NORTHERN IRELAND (squad): Maik Taylor (Birmingham), Roy Carroll (West Ham); Tony Capaldi (Plymouth), Stephen Craigan (Motherwell), Chris Baird (Southampton), Aaron Hughes (Aston Villa), Michael Duff (Burnley); Grant McCann (Cheltenham), Stuart Elliott (Hull), Keith Gillespie (Sheff Utd), Sammy Clingan (Nottingham Forest), Steve Jones (Burnley), Ivan Sproule (Hibernian); Warren Feeney (Luton), James Quinn (Northampton), David Healy (Leeds), Kyle Lafferty (Burnley).