Manager Sammy McIlroy is predicting a bright future with Northern Ireland for Sunderland youngster George McCartney who is set to make his debut against Iceland today.

McIlroy has no worries about handing McCartney his first cap at Windsor Park, even though he admits it is sooner than he had planned. McCartney gets his big chance at centre-half because of Colin Murdock's one-match ban.

McIlroy has closely followed McCartney's progress with Sunderland and the Northern Ireland under-21s over the last 18 months and he is convinced the 20-year-old is going to make a big impact. "There's no doubt about that," said the Irish boss. "I've been talking about this lad ever since I took the job. I've watched his progress with Sunderland - and Peter Reid rates him very, very highly.

McCartney for Murdock is likely to be the only change McIlroy makes to the side which earned a fine 1-1 draw with Denmark in Copenhagen on Saturday.

That result has given the Irish players a huge lift, following their run of six defeats, but McIlroy insists they still go into the game against Iceland as underdogs.

NORTHERN IRELAND (probable,): Taylor; Kennedy, McCartney, A Hughes, Griffin; Horlock, M Hughes, Magilton, Mulryne, Gillespie; Healy.