Stephen Carson has enjoyed a fine season with Coleraine

Coleraine winger Stephen Carson was delighted but surprised at making the Northern Ireland squad for the friendly against Italy in Pisa next month.

Carson is one of four Irish League players to receive a first call-up to the senior international panel.

"I thought a couple of young players may be called up but for me at 28 it is a very pleasant surprise," he said.

"It would be nice to play in the game, make an impact and show I can do it at this level."

He added: "I just want to make sure I go out there in peak condition, train well and hopefully put a seed or two in the manager's head by performing well in training.

"I'm excited to be the squad, I know it's a so-called weaker squad, but to go out and play Italy is a great experience."

The last Coleraine player to make a Northern Ireland appearance was Raymond McCoy in 1987.

If Coates or Donnelly take the field they would be the first Crusaders player to win a Northern Ireland cap since Danny Trainor in 1967.

Carson has represented his country at all age levels and now Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington has give him a chance against the World Cup holders.

Fellow Irish League players Colin Coates, Martin Donnelly and Robert Garrett are new faces in the panel while Linfield keeper Alan Mannus is a regular in the squad.

"The boys from the Irish League are fit and dedicated," said Carson.

"Everyone needs to be an athlete now and the diet and fitness regime has to be right.

"My performances have been pretty decent this year and the young players have shown their quality.

"Nigel Worthington would not be calling us up if he thought he couldn't rely on us.

"It's up to us to do the Irish League proud - if we do get an opportunity we'll hopefully not let ourselves down."

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