Worthington again snubbed by Ferguson

NORTHERN IRELAND manager Nigel Worthington says it “beggars belief” he has not heard back from Newcastle defender Shane Ferguson after offering him the chance of a call-up to the senior side.

Following Jonny Evans’ withdrawal through injury, Worthington attempted to add the highly-rated 20-year-old to his squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Estonia today and Italy on Tuesday but, not for the first time, he has found the left-back difficult to get hold of.

Worthington revealed in May he had drawn a blank when trying to speak to the player, sparking worries he was ready to join the Republic of Ireland after playing at youth level for Northern Ireland. He is not tied to the country of his birth despite playing for the senior side in a friendly against Italy two years ago, but would be if he appeared in a competitive fixture.

The question of allegiance was apparently put to bed when Ferguson accepted a call to play for Steve Beaglehole’s under-21 side again last month, but the latest non-appearance has clearly frustrated Worthington. “I’ve been trying for the last 36-48 hours to get in contact with the boy to let him know I’d like to draft him into the squad,” said the manager. “His club has been notified and we’ve had the medical records sent back to us, as we always do with players to see if there are any problems, but we’ve had no contact . . . “I can only do what I’ve done.”

Worthington appeared to hint the pair have not always enjoyed a harmonious relationship, despite their limited acquaintance.

Worthington’s contract expires at the end of the year, meaning today’s rematch against an Estonia side who all but ended his side’s play-off hopes could be his last at Windsor Park.

Craig Levein is pinning his hopes on Spain defeating the Czech Republic tonight. Realistically that scenario will have to come to pass if the Scotland manager wants to lead his team to a play-off berth. They face Liechtenstein tomorrow before a trip to Spain on Tuesday night.

Levein has been lifted by Kenny Miller’s recovery from the groin problem which forced him to limp out of Cardiff City’s weekend defeat to Hull City and the striker could now play tomorrow.