Forest keeper Lee Camp named in NI squad for qualifiers
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Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington is happy with his goalkeeping options ahead of the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers
Nottingham Forest keeper Lee Camp has earned his first Northern Ireland call-up for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Serbia and Slovenia later this month.
Camp was cleared to play for Northern Ireland by Fifa last month even though he has represented England Under-21s.
Werder Bremen striker Liam Boyce is retained in the 23-man squad after earning his first cap in the Nations Cup 3-0 defeat by Scotland.
Rory Patterson is omitted after starting against Scotland in Dublin.
Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty is included even though he has been bothered by tonsilitis in recent weeks.
Lafferty has been able to play for Rangers in recent weeks but the ailment is said to have affected his energy levels.
Watford pair Lee Hodson and Adam Thompson retain their places in manager Nigel Worthington's squad.
Hodson was stretchered off in Watford's 3-0 defeat by Sheffield United on Saturday but the player's leg injury is said to be just bruising.
Worthington said he was hopeful that Hodson would play for Watford this weekend and therefore be available for the Northern Ireland squad.
Camp, 26, told the Irish FA last summer that he was keen to declare for Northern Ireland and his eligibility has been successfully processed.
The Derby-born keeper qualifies to play for Northern Ireland through a grandparent.
He has played five times for the England Under-21 team.
Maik Taylor in the man in possession for Northern Ireland but Camp will hope to challenge the Birmingham veteran for the number one shirt.
"I am delighted to have Lee on board, we are very fortunate to have him," said Worthington.
"He is an impressive goalkeeper and he's been even better in the last few years.
"I've watched Lee two or three times over the last couple of weeks and, having watched him, I'd have no hesitations at all about playing him."
Northern Ireland squad:
Goalkeepers: Taylor (Birmingham), Tuffey (Inverness Caledonian Thistle), Camp (Nottingham Forest)
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