Paddy McCourt recalled to Northern Ireland squad

CELTIC winger Paddy McCourt has been called up to the Northern Ireland squad following his recent impressive displays for the Parkhead club.

The ex-Derry City player has scored twice in the past week for Tony Mowbray's side with strikes against Falkirk in the Co-operative Insurance Cup and St Mirren in the league.

It is this form that has persuaded Nigel Worthington to

recall McCourt for his side's World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic on October 14.

Northern Ireland require a victory in Prague in their final qualifier to have any chance of making the play-offs for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

McCourt has been capped nine times for the Northern Ireland under-21 team

and has earned two caps for the senior side against Spain and San Marino.

Rangers pair Steven Davis and Kyle Lafferty also feature in the squad despite suffering from flu and a knee injury.