Linfield quartet in NI U23 squad

Linfield striker Peter Thompson scored in the Belguim defeat

Linfield boast four players in the Northern Ireland U23 panel for the Challenge Trophy game against the Republic of Ireland next Tuesday night.

League and cup winners Kris Lindsay, Jamie Mulgrew, Thomas Stewart and Peter Thompson are in the panel for the Mourneview Park clash.

Glentoran's David Scullion, Sean Ward and Darren Boyce are also included.

David Jeffrey's side, selected from the Carnegie Premier League, lost 2-1 away to Belguim in December's group opener.

The fourth team in the group is Slovakia who will be the opposition for Jeffrey's side in October.

Group A consists of trophy holders England, Finland, Wales and Italy and the group winners will meet in the final in February 2009.

Northern Ireland U23 squad: C Keenan (Larne), D Nelson (Dungannon Swifts), C McClean (Ballymena United), K Lindsay (Linfield), A Watson (Ballymena United), C Coates (Crusaders), B Holland (Cliftonville), D Ogilby (Institute), D Scullion, S Ward (both Glentoran), R Clarke (Newry City), R McIlmoyle (Limavady United), J Mulgrew (Linfield), D Boyce (Glentoran), S Garrett (Newry City), T Stewart (Linfield), M McAllister (Dungannon Swifts), P Thompson (Linfield)