BLACKBURN Rovers winger Damien Johnson has received his first call-up to the full Northern Ireland squad.

The 21-year-old wide man will replace club-mate Keith Gillespie who has pulled out of the squad for Saturday's final Euro 2000 qualifier against Finland because of injury.

Johnson had originally been named in the under-21 squad for their Group 3 game in Helsinki.

But Northern Ireland boss Lawrie McMenemy had little hesitation in promoting him to the senior squad once Gillespie was ruled out.

And the former England assistant believes the time is right for the 21-year-old winger to establish himself as a fully-fledged international.

"Damien has performed very well for the under 21 side and we always knew he would get his chance at senior level," said McMenemy.

"So, with Keith Gillespie out injured, it seemed a natural progression to bring Damien into the full squad.

"The under 21 side has greatly benefited the youngsters, none more so than Damien, and we know he won't let anyone down. "He has lots of pace and can cross a ball and he's a more than useful addition to the squad." Meanwhile, Rovers midfielder Lee Carsley is likely to miss the Republic of Ireland's crunch qualifier against Macedonia.

The former Derby man is struggling with a foot injury, caused by a block tackle in last Tuesday's defeat at Swindon. He still played at QPR on Saturday, after pain-killing injections, but the injury has flared up and Carsley was set to see foot specialist Martin Walsh today.

And Republic boss Mick McCarthy will leave a decision as late as possible before deciding whether or not to replace him with West Brom's Andy Townsend.

"I'm not prepared to write Lee off just yet," said McCarthy.

"He's got a sore foot and I'm really concerned. It's very badly bruised and quite swollen.

"But our medical staff will see him and Robbie Keane and, until I get a report from them, I won't be making any decisions." However, Rovers boss Brian Kidd has been boosted by the return to fitness of Jason McAteer and Matt Jansen.

McAteer has been out since May 1 after suffering nerve damage to his leg, while Jansen has missed the last two weeks after picking up a virus.

But both have been named in the reserve team squad for tonight's game against Sheffield Wednesday at Ewood.

And provided they come through unscathed, they could still put themselves in contention for next Wednesday's Worthington Cup clash with Leeds United at Elland Road.

Rovers reserve squad for tonight's game is: Bingham, McNamee, Richardson, McAteer, Taylor (Michael), Hawe, Dunn, Gill, Thomas, Jansen, Corbett, Scates, Hind, Forsyth, Baldachinno, Dunning and McCann.

Meanwhile, Rovers are not believed to be interested in Sheffield United midfielder Martin Smith despite reports in some of today's tabloids.

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