Worthington without key men

Soccer: Northern Ireland are certain to be without injured pair Kyle Lafferty and Aaron Hughes for tomorrow’s Euro 2012 qualifier…

Soccer:Northern Ireland are certain to be without injured pair Kyle Lafferty and Aaron Hughes for tomorrow's Euro 2012 qualifier against Slovenia, with both men back at their clubs for treatment.

Striker Lafferty and captain Hughes both suffered their injuries in Friday’s Group C defeat to Serbia, with the Rangers man taken off at half-time having experienced stiffness in his knee.

Fulham defender Hughes, meanwhile, bravely played the full 90 minutes despite dislocating his shoulder midway through the first period. Nigel Worthington admitted after the match he had injury doubts but hoped at least one of the players would be available at Windsor Park.

Instead neither is with the side as they train in Belfast. Millwall striker Josh McQuoid has been summoned to provide attacking cover in the absence of Lafferty and the suspended David Healy.

Worthington has named Gareth McAuley as captain in the absence of Hughes.

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • What’s making headlines in the rugby world? Listen to The Counter Ruck podcast with Nathan Johns

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered to your phone