MICHAEL Duff has welcomed his international recall but insists he has no expectations.

The 34-year-old has been included in the Northern Ireland squad for the first time in over three years, as Michael O’Neill prepares for his first game in charge later this month.

Duff has been named in the 24-man squad to face Holland at Windsor Park on February 29, joined by team-mates Martin Paterson and Josh McQuoid, who is on loan from Millwall.

The defender admitted the call came as “a shock”, and said it would be an even bigger surprise if he made the starting line-up.

“It’s going to be tough for me because I’ve got some very good players ahead of me. I can’t see me starting ahead of Jonny Evans because he is playing every week at Manchester United,” Duff admitted.

“But just to be involved again would be nice.

“It was a bit of a shock when I got the phone call.

“The manager rang me about three weeks ago just to see what my thoughts were, if I wanted to be involved.

“Obviously you always want to play for your country, so it was a nice little surprise.

“I’ve not really played a lot since the knee injury. I think the last call-up was three and a half years ago. But the new manager has come in and said he has seen me play four or five times this year, and he said he likes what he has seen, so hopefully I can add a few more caps.”

Duff last played for his country under previous manager Nigel Worthington on November 19, 2008, at home to Hungary.

The former Cheltenham defender is relishing a fresh start under O’Neill.

“It’s the same at club level, when managers come in it’s a chance for everyone to impress,” he said.

“It’s a nice bit of recognition for doing okay this year.”