Martin Paterson has been in goalscoring form for Scunthorpe

Under-21 international Paterson, who has scored seven goals in 13 starts for his club in the Championship, takes his place in the panel for the first time.

Jonny Evans is left out of the senior squad but Chris Baird and Warren Feeney both return after serving a suspension.

Keith Gillespie is back after injury but Damien Johnson is still injured.

Stephen Robinson retains his place in the squad but Steve Jones and Grant McCann are both omitted after being named as substitutes for last month's 1-1 draw with Sweden.

Kyle Lafferty is included in Nigel Worthington's 21-man panel but will be suspended for the game against the Danes at Windsor Park on Saturday 17 November.

The Burnley striker will be available for selection for the away game with Spain four days later.

Manchester United defender Evans, who missed the draw in Sweden because of an ankle injury, will represent the U21 side in games with Luxembourg and Moldova after failing to earn a senior recall.

It is the first time Evans, when fit, has been left out of the senior squad since making his debut in the memorable 3-2 victory over Spain in Belfast last year.

Northern Ireland boss Worthington will be monitoring Baird's fitness after he missed Fulham's weekend win over Reading with a shoulder injury.

Worthington's side go into the double-header five points behind Spain and a further point adrift of Group F leaders Sweden.

Northern Ireland and Denmark are level on 17 points - both need to win their remaining two games and hope other results go their way.

Northern Ireland squad: Maik Taylor (Birmingham City), Alan Mannus (Linfield), Michael McGovern (Celtic); Stephen Craigan (Motherwell), Tony Capaldi (Cardiff City), George McCartney (West Ham), Aaron Hughes (Fulham), Gareth McAuley (Leicester City), Sean Webb (Accrington Stanley), Chris Baird (Fulham); Steven Davis (Fulham), Sammy Clingan (Nottingham Forest), Chris Brunt (West Bromwich Albion), Stephen Robinson (Luton Town), Keith Gillespie (Sheffield Utd), Ivan Sproule (Bristol City); David Healy (Fulham), Gary Hamilton (Glentoran), Warren Feeney (Cardiff City), Kyle Lafferty (Burnley), Martin Paterson (Scunthorpe United).