Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has hinted that Paddy McCourt may be handed a start in their European Championship qualifier against the Faroe Islands.

The 30-year-old has played only once for his country since his last competitive appearance against Israel in March 2013 and is also finding game time hard to come by with Brighton & Hove Albion.

McCourt has previous against the Faroe Islands, though, scoring twice in a 4-0 win in August 2011, and O'Neill has admitted that the winger could have a key role to play again when the minnows visit Windsor Park on Saturday.

"Paddy's previous against them has to come into the thinking given the nature of the game we're expecting," O'Neill told reporters.

"The Faroes will try to be hard to break down and a lot of strong teams haven't found it easy against them recently. Paddy has the ability to unlock the door and he gives us different options.

"He's unique in terms of what he brings to our squad. He hasn't played a lot of minutes at Brighton but we've watched him and it's a question of what we can get out of him."

McCourt has yet to start a Championship game for Brighton since joining on a free transfer in the summer.