Tuesday 6 October 2015 11:00, UK
Northern Ireland have been handed a major boost ahead of Thursday's crucial European Qualifier against Greece after Michael O'Neill confirmed Gareth McAuley "will be fine".
The West Brom defender, who has scored five goals in his last 12 international appearances, needed a scan on a calf problem following his side's 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace, although he did not train on Monday morning after being given an extra day recovery.
Jonny Evans will be assessed on a "day by day" basis and has remained at West Brom for treatment following the hamstring injury that meant he was replaced after 24 minutes of the same game.
Fellow defender Aaron Hughes and left-back Chris Brunt also missed training but are not doubts for the game.
"Gareth and Chris will be fine for Thursday", said O'Neill. "As for Jonny, there has been constant dialogue with West Brom who have been fantastic. It's a day-by-day process.
"I'm not going to leave the decision until Thursday morning. Tomorrow and Wednesday we will start to focus on team preparation."
Northern Ireland are already without suspended trio Kyle Lafferty, Chris Baird and Conor McLaughlin.
Lafferty (7) and McAuley (3) have been responsible for 10 of the 12 goals scored in Group F.
O'Neill's side need two points from their remaining two games to qualify for their first European Championships. Top seeds Greece have not won a game in this campaign.
Alternatively, should Hungary drop points in their remaining two games against Faroe Islands and Greece, that will also be enough to qualify Northern Ireland for their first major tournament since the 1986 World Cup.
