N.Ireland v Liechtenstein preview

Worthington ready for bow

By Peter O'Rourke   Last updated: 22nd August 2007

worthington nigel

Worthington: Ready for bow

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Nigel Worthington takes charge of Northern Ireland for the first time in Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier with Liechtenstein.

Northern Ireland sit in third spot in Group F and a win over minnows Liechtenstein will see them move into second spot above Spain and just two points behind leaders Sweden.

Worthington will be keen to continue the impressive work of Lawrie Sanchez as he looks to guide Northern Ireland to their first major finals since 1986.

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West Ham defender George McCartney is set to start after ending his international exile.

McCartney will start at left-back after Jonny Evans and Tony Capaldi were forced out through injury.

Damein Johnson is sidelined with a hamstring injury so Nottingham Forest's Sammy Clingan is set to start in midfield.

Chris Baird captains the side in the absence of his injured Fulham team-mate Aaron Hughes.

Top scorer David Healy will lead the attack and he will be aiming to improve on a remarkable tally of 29 goals in 56 international games having scored a hat-trick in the first meeting between the two countries in qualifying.