Stephen Baker, the Middlesbrough full back, has been called into the Republic of Ireland's "B" squad for the game against Northern Ireland at Tolka Park on February 11th.
Baker, who impressed when facing Liverpool's Steve McManaman in the first leg of the English League Cup tie at Anfield in midweek, made one appearance in the national under 21 squad two years ago.
Michael O'Neill of Aberdeen, is one of several senior internationals in a Northern Ireland squad which includes the brothers, Jeff and Jim Whitley, born in Zimbabwe but qualified to play for Northern Ireland because of their ancestry.
Northern Ireland (Squad): A Fettis (Blackburn), R Carroll (Wigan), I Jenkins (Chester), P McGibbon (Wigan), C Murdock (Preston), D Patterson (Luton), A Hughes (Newcastle), K Rowland (QPR), P Kennedy (Watford), J McCarthy (Birmngham), D Sonner (Ipswich), P Mulryne (Man Utd), S Robinson (Bournemouth), M O'Neill (Aberdeen), G McMahon (Stoke City), G O'Boyle (St Johnstone), B Hunter (Reading), Jeff Whitley (Man City), D Lennon (Raith Rovers), Jim Whitley (Man City).
West Ham midfielder Steve Lomas misses today's Premiership game at Bolton next month after receiving a further one-match ban and a £500 fine for laying his hands on referee Gerald Ashby at Bolton.
The English League have secured the immediate future of the League Cup by winning back the UEFA Cup slot for the competition winners. UEFA had originally barred the winners from a UEFA Cup place as the Premier League would not cut their numbers from 20 to 18.
Sheffield Wednesday just man- aged to complete the deal worth nearly £3million ahead of yesterday's noon deadline, with Andy Hinchcliffe signing a four-and-a-half year deal.
