International friendly: Northern Ireland v Morocco
Venue: Windsor Park Date: Wednesday, 17 November Kick-off: 1945 GMT Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio Ulster medium wave; coverage on BBC Radio 5 live & BBC Sport website; Also live on Sky Sports 2

Bournemouth striker Josh McQuoid admits he was surprised to receive a call-up to the Northern Ireland squad for their friendly against Morocco on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old, who scored his second successive hat-trick against Walsall on Saturday, has already been part of the Under-21 squad.

McQuoid told BBC Radio Solent: "It was a surprise and I'm shocked.

"It's a great honour and it's a massive confidence boost, and I'm buzzing to play for my country."

McQuoid is keen to stress that being away on international duty will not affect his availability for the Cherries.

"It's a midweek game so I won't miss a match for Bournemouth," he added.

"I have the early flight back on Thursday so I'll be back for training by the end of the week, which is good because I don't want to miss out."

Despite a run of five goals in four matches earlier in the season, McQuoid was under criticism only 10 days ago for his failure to find the back of the net, following nine games without a goal.

With his three goals against Tranmere two weeks ago, he has now scored six goals in two games, to help Bournemouth into the second round of the FA Cup and third in League One.

"It's great to be scoring again. I've been working hard in training to get in the right positions and be more instinctive in the box," McQuoid said.

"It's all about the team, without the assists I wouldn't be getting the hat-tricks.

"We deserve to be third, it's not through luck. If we carry on playing like we are then we'll be there at end of the season."

Watch McQuoid's hat-trick as Bournemouth beat Walsall 3-0

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