• Everton centre-back withdraws after being named in NI squad
• 18-year-old was set to win first cap in friendly against Albania

The promising Everton defender Shane Duffy has rocked Northern Ireland by deciding to change his allegiance, the Irish Football Association has confirmed.

The 18-year-old Londonderry-born player has informed the manager, Nigel Worthington, that he wants to play for the Republic of Ireland instead.

Duffy has withdrawn from the squad to face Albania in a friendly in Tirana on 3