Gillespie gives Northern Ireland welcome boost

Leicester have confirmed that Keith Gillespie will link up with the Northern Ireland squad today.

Leicester have confirmed that Keith Gillespie will link up with the Northern Ireland squad today.

Gillespie made a brief comeback from an ankle problem when he played the final 13 minutes of the defeat by Fulham on Saturday.

He had been sidelined since suffering the injury during Northern Ireland's game against Armenia last month.

The thumbs-up from Gillespie is a welcome boost for manager Sammy McIlroy ahead of the Euro 2004 qualifier against Greece on Saturday in Athens.

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McIlroy will go into the match without influential Birmingham midfielder Damien Johnson, who is suspended.

The squad are due to fly out tomorrow to complete their preparations for the game against the group six leaders.