NORTHERN Ireland manager Sammy McIlroy reckons Damien Johnson has a great future - even though he has just been shown the door by Blackburn.

Johnson has been told by Rovers that they will not renew his contract in the summer.

The Irish midfielder, who failed to win a regular place under Blackburn manager Graeme Souness, wants to leave now and is already looking for a new club.

A number of sides, mostly from the First Division, notably Preston North End, are interested in signing the 24-year-old.

McIlroy has no doubts that Johnson, who was in the Northern Ireland side for last night's friendly against Poland in Cyprus, will bounce back from this disappointment.

"There's little Jonty, who has been marvellous for me, looking out for a new club at the moment, which is a shame because he's got a great future ahead of him," he said.

"Most likely Damien will have to take a step down, but all he wants is to play regular football, which you can understand.

"I'm sure there will be a host of clubs out there looking for a Damien Johnson, because for me he's going to be a hell of a player.

"Any time I've seen him with Blackburn, he's never let Blackburn down.

"He's never let me down. He's done marvellously and an example of that is the Czech game.

"For a kid who wasn't having regular football, he still ran himself into the ground and that was the sort of spirit and attitude I want to see.

"I can't pick the Blackburn side, but I'm sure he will get a new club."