AIDAN Davison, Wanderers' patient understudy goalkeeper has emerged as a surprise international candidate.

Northern Ireland boss Bryan Hamilton is running the rule over the Sedgefield-born reserve team regular, who qualifies to play for the Irish by virtue of his parentage.

Hamilton was at Burnden Park last night to watch Davison, who gave an impressive performance in the reserve team's 3-1 victory over Newcastle.

Now the 6ft 1in keeper, who has played 46 senior games for Wanderers since following Keith Branagan from Millwall in the summer of '93, could again follow in the footsteps of Burnden No 1 onto the international stage. Branagan won a B cap with the Republic of Ireland last season.

Davison may not have to wait long either for his international call. Having accepted that the Irish are now out of the reckoning for next year's European Championship finals in England - barring a mathematical miracle - Hamilton is considering introducing new players for the final qualifying game against Austria in Belfast on Nov 15.

That could see the 27-year-old Bolton keeper, who started his career in non-league with Billingham Synthonia, as a rival to Hull's Alan Fettis and Walsall's Trevor Wood.

Wanderers boss Colin Todd alerted Hamilton to Davison's availability and confirmed today: "Bryan was obviously doing some random checking himself last night.

"Aidan did very well. His command of the box was good and he came for crosses with a lot of confidence."

Fabian de Freitas, who confirmed his fitness and form with two goals in the reserve win, will return to the senior squad at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

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