NEWS ROUND-UP: NORTHERN IRELAND manager Nigel Worthington believes Celtic duo Paddy McCourt and Niall McGinn offer "something different" to the rest of his squad.

That is why Worthington has recalled the players, even though both are short of match fitness, for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Italy and the Faroe Islands next month.

McCourt remains sidelined with a shoulder injury, while McGinn only recently recovered from a broken foot.

Both players like to take opponents on and Worthington is mindful of the fact it might need something special to break down Italy at Windsor Park on October 8th.

“McCourt is in, as is McGinn, because they give us something different if we need it.

“Both have been injured and McCourt is still troubled by his shoulder. He will be touch and go for Italy but could make the game against the Faroes.”

Promising Preston midfielder Adam Barton has been drafted into the squad for the first time.

The 19-year-old has been fast-tracked after breaking into the Preston first team this season.

Blackburn-born Barton, who qualifies through one of his parents, has played for Northern Ireland’s Under-19 side.

“I am delighted to bring Adam in,” said Worthington. “I have monitored him very closely and he has always caught the eye. I have no qualms about bringing him into the senior group.”

Manchester United reserve midfielder Corry Evans has retained his place in the squad after scoring the winner against Slovenia in the opening qualifier in Maribor.

So too has Blackpool defender Craig Cathcart, who capped an impressive performance on his debut by setting up the goal.

Worthington has also kept faith with midfielder Johnny Gorman, who attends the Wolves academy and Repton school.

Worthington is anxious to build on the victory against Slovenia when Italy visit Belfast before they travel to face the Faroes on October 12th.

Three thousand temporary seats are being installed at Windsor Park, after the Railway Stand was demolished, with a capacity crowd of 14,500 expected.

“It should be a tremendous atmosphere,” said Worthington. “Let’s hope we can make it another great night for Northern Ireland. I have full respect for the Italians. They are going through a period of change and have some very good players but we will be fully focused on what we need to do.”

Mario Balotelli hopes to recover from knee surgery by the end of November, the Manchester City and Italy forward said yesterday.

The 20-year-old, signed from Inter Milan in August just after his Italy debut, barely had time to make an impact in English soccer before undergoing an operation on September 8th.

He was expected to return by the middle of October but his progress has been slightly slower.

“It’s going to be around six to eight weeks,” Balotelli said.

He therefore should return in time for the December 16th Europa League match at Juventus, whose fans used to racially abuse him when he played in Turin for Inter.

He has linked up again at City with Roberto Mancini, one of his former Inter coaches, and has quickly got used to Manchesters famous rainy weather while kicking his heels in the treatment room.

“It’s OK, I’m calm about it,” the often shy man said when asked about the weather and settling in.

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has been charged with improper conduct by the English Football Association after confronting referee Mike Dean in the tunnel following the 2-1 loss to Blackburn on Saturday.

The Seasiders’ boss was furious Brett Emerton’s injury-time winner was allowed to stand despite a suspicion of offside and what he felt was a foul on Gary Taylor-Fletcher in the build-up.

Under the FA’s new fast-track procedures, Holloway has until Friday to respond to the charge.

NORTHERN IRELAND SQUAD:Taylor (Birmingham), Tuffey (Inverness), Blayney (Linfield); J Evans (Manchester Utd), Craigan (Motherwell), Cathcart (Blackpool), McAuley (Ipswich), Hughes (Fulham), Baird (Fulham); McCann (Peterborough), Brunt (West Brom), Gorman (Wolves), C Evans (Manchester United), Davis (Rangers), McGinn (Celtic), Barton (Preston), Clingan (Coventry); Healy (Sunderland), Feeney (Oldham), Lafferty (Rangers), McCourt (Celtic), Patterson (Plymouth).