SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY'S Liverpool born defender Ian Nolan has won a surprise call up to Northern Ireland's World Cup squad to play Armenia in next week's qualifier in Belfast.

The 26 year old full back qualifies through his grandparents and looks certain to make his debut on Saturday, October 5th as his new country attempt to get over their defeat by Ukraine in last month's opening group nine fixture.

Manager Bryan Hamilton explained: "Ian qualifies because he has grandparents from Newry, County Down. It's an exciting discovery for us.

"Sheffield Wednesday paid in excess of £1 million to Tranmere for him, and having seen him play I know just how good he is.

"He is an experienced player and has filled both full back positions at Hillsborough, but I think he's best on the right flank where we've had a problem ever since Gary Fleming dropped out some time back."

Hamilton also brings Hull's teenage goalkeeper Roy Carroll, 19 next week, in for the first time as understudy to Alan Fettis, who used to be the youngster's club mate at Boothferry Park.

Enniskillen man Carroll, who will be 19 next Monday, joined Hull as a trainee then took over in the first team soon after Fettis moved to Nottingham Forest.

"He's done exceptionally well considering his age, and everyone at Hull speaks very highly of him," says Hamilton.

Bolton centre back Gerry Taggart, who last played for Northern Ireland in June 1995 during a home defeat by Latvia, is restored to the squad.

Taggart will be challenging for a place with Barry Hunter, who is also fit again after missing the match against Ukraine because of injury.

Bolton keeper Aidan Davison, Arsenal's Steve Morrow and St Johnstone striker George O'Boyle are all left out, although only Morrow actually played against Ukraine.

World Cup newcomers Armenia held Portugal to a 0-0 draw in their opening game at home in Yerevan last month, and Hamilton said: "Portugal's manager, Artur Jorge, tells me they have two good forwards, an inventive midfield and a solid defence. That's really encouraging, isn't it?

"I've also got them on video tape. They look quite good, I must say, but probably not as useful as Ukraine.

"The Armenians will all try like mad in Belfast. They'll know that English talent scouts will take in the game and they'll see it as their big chance to escape, the grinding poverty back home.