N Ireland v Georgia preview

Lafferty should be fit as Healy prepares to receive award

Last updated: 26th March 2008

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Lafferty: Injury worry

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Kyle Lafferty is expected to be fit to partner David Healy in attack in Northern Ireland's friendly with Georgia.

Burnley forward Lafferty is struggling with a knock, but coach Nigel Worthington is optimistic he will be available for the game at Windsor Park.

If Lafferty fails to shake off the minor problem, then Warren Feeney is likely to be given the nod to start alongside Healy.

Before kick-off, Healy will also be presented with an award by Uefa president Michel Platini to mark his record-breaking achievement of 13 goals in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Worthington is looking for an improvement from his team following last month's 1-0 home defeat to Bulgaria and also hopes to have Gareth McAuley fit for selection.

Players missing

Roy Carroll, Martin Paterson, Sammy Clingan and Chris Brunt all withdrew from the original squad, while Linfield trio Alan Mannus, Peter Thompson and Michael Gault will not start after playing for their club on Tuesday.

With West Brom winger Brunt absent through injury, Stuart Elliott could be recalled to the Northern Ireland team.

Georgia are ranked 42 places below Northern Ireland, but did secure a 2-0 home win over Scotland during the Euro 2008 qualifying programme.

However, they will be looking to produce a better display than the one which saw them lose 3-1 at home to Latvia in a friendly last month.

The match serves as preparation for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, with Georgia in the same group as Italy, Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus and Montenegro.