A Lawrie load of joy.

Byline: By James Hunter

New Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez has included Sunderland duo Jeff Whitley and George McCartney in his first squad.

Northern Ireland take on Norway in a friendly in Belfast on February 18 and both Whitley and McCartney are in the 23-man squad.

Former Wycombe manager Sanchez was appointed last month as successor to Sammy McIlroy, who resigned in October.

McCartney said: "It will be a challenge for both Jeff and myself because the new manager will have his own views on who should be in the team and we'll have to prove ourselves all over again."

McIlroy gave McCartney his international debut in 2002 and the defender is set to win his 15th cap against Norway.

Whitley's form for Sunderland this season saw McIlroy recall him to the international fold after a near three-year absence.

Sunderland's John Oster has also been called up for international duty, Mark Hughes naming him in the Wales squad for their friendly against Scotland at the Millennium Stadium, also on February 18.

Meanwhile, Sunderland chairman Bob Murray has spoken of his disappointment at the club's failure to bring Huddersfield Town striker Jon Stead to the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats had been tracking Stead for months and had made a bid of pounds 800,000 in October which was turned down by the Third Division side, although the Wearsiders left the offer on the table.

But on Sunday Blackburn Rovers made a bid believed to total pounds 1.5 million for the 20-year-old and, despite a late increased offer from Sunderland, Stead opted to move to Ewood Park.

Murray said: "We're disappointed not to get Jon Stead and I feel let down by his agent.

"We faxed an improved offer to Huddersfield. It was accepted and they gave us permission to talk to the player.

"We thought it was happening and then his agent rang later saying Jon had decided to go to Blackburn - despite stating over the weekend that he only wanted to come to Sunderland.

"This was totally contrary to all our earlier conversations."

Murray, however, insists the Wearsiders will carry on looking to strengthen their squad.

He said: "We cannot sign players from Premiership clubs when the window closes but we can still take them on loan. We'll continue to look to strengthen at every opportunity."

NSUNDERLAND have asked the Football Association to bring the FA Cup to the Stadium of Light for the Black Cats' fifth-round tie against Birmingham a week on Saturday as a tribute to the Wearsiders' cup-winning manager Bob Stokoe, who died on Sunday.

Stokoe's Second Division Sunderland side beat First Division Leeds United 1-0 at Wembley to lift the famous trophy in 1973, the last occasion the FA Cup was won by a North-East side.

The FA are considering the request.