IAIN DOWIE is back in the Northern Ireland squad. Manager Bryan Hamilton believes that the West Ham forward's presence will be vital as Northern Ireland tackle back-to-back matches against Portugal in Belfast on Saturday, March 29th, and in Kiev against the Ukraine the following Wednesday.

Dowie, who scored both goals in Northern Ireland's 2-0 win over Albania in their last Group Nine qualifier, returns after missing recent friendlies against Italy and Belgium because of a broken ankle.

Hamilton includes Manchester City's Kevin Horlock and West Ham's Michael Hughes in the squad, although they can only play against the Ukraine as they will both be suspended for the Windsor Park showdown with Portugal.