Etuhu, Lita set for Irish call-up?

Lawrie Sanchez is keen to welcome Preston's Dickson Etuhu into his side.

Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez is said to be exploring the possibility of Preston midfielder Dickson Etuhu being eligible for his side.

Etuhu holds both a British and Nigerian passport and he could now be set to for a shock call up from the Province.

The 23-year-old was on the verge of being included in the Nigerian World Cup campaign of 2002 after impressing Super Eagles staff during a pre-tournament training camp.

But Etuhu's international future may now lie across the Irish Sea after recent performances caught the eye of the former Wycombe boss.

Reading's Leroy Lita is another player that Sanchez is keen to take to Windsor Park, while Birmingham midfielder Stephen Clemence will also be asked to reconsider, having already turned the Ulstermen down previously.

"I want to improve our position in the next campaign and to do that we need a big panel of players," said the Northern Ireland boss.

"We are too small a country and don't have a big enough pool of players not to consider any decent player that could be available to us.

"I'll be speaking to the players individually and we'll take it from there. I must stress though, I will only bring them in if I feel they will benefit the team. We're not going to be silly about this."