Whitley makes NI debut

Jim Whitley, the Manchester City midfielder, makes his Northern Ireland debut against Spain in tomorrow's friendly in Santander…

Jim Whitley, the Manchester City midfielder, makes his Northern Ireland debut against Spain in tomorrow's friendly in Santander. Gerry Taggart returns to the defence.

Whitley will win his first cap at any level against the World Cupbound Spanish.

Bolton central defender Taggart, returns to manager Lawrie McMenemy's team. Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Jim Magilton starts in place of injured captain Steve Lomas.

Meanwhile Newcastle boss Kenny Dalglish has signed Sunderland goalkeeper Lionel Perez on a free transfer. He joins Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Shay Given, at St James' Park. Given had a successful loan period with Sunderland when he was at Blackburn. The 31-year-old Frenchman becomes a free agent on June 30th and signs a three-year contract on July 1st.995619

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Packie Bonner, the former Celtic and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper, has joined Reading on a three-year contract as assistant manager to Tommy Burns.

Northern Ireland: Fettis, Jenkins, Hughes, Taggart, Morrow, Lennon, Whitley, Magilton, McCarthy, Hughes, Dowie.