Country calls for Feeney

Photo: Press Association

INTERNATIONAL DUTY . . . Athletic frontman Warren Feeney is set to face Italy and the Faroe Islands.

ATHLETIC striker Warren Feeney is set to don a Northern Ireland shirt again for his country’s next two Euro 2012 qualifiers.

As expected, the 29-year-old has been selected for the national squad by manager Nigel Worthington.

And after playing the full 90 minutes for the team in their excellent 1-0 win away in Slovenia — an identical scoreline that England managed on neutral territory in the World Cup against the same opponents — Feeney will be confident of being first-choice once again.

The call-up means Feeney will miss Athletic’s away match at Brentford on Saturday, October 9.

Instead, he will hope to be involved in the big game against Italy at Windsor Park on Friday, October 8, and the away fixture in the Faroe Islands four days later.

Currently, Feeney is rated as doubtful for this Saturday’s journey to second-placed Brighton in npower League One after turning his ankle in the win over Bournemouth.

Athletic’s reserve team drew 1-1 in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Barrow at Boundary Park.

A host of chances were missed in the first half by an experienced line-up featuring an unidentified triallist striker, partnering Andrew Crompton up front.

Rob Purdie opened the scoring early in the second half from close range after a failed clearance.

Chances again went begging and Barrow equalised through a deflected free-kick from Joe Yoffee.

Reserve team: Ollerenshaw, Lomax, Gregan, McDonald, Jacobson, Alessandra, Holdsworth, Worthington, Purdie, Triallist, Crompton. Subs used: Hughes.