Double blow for Northern Ireland

Johnson and Capaldi ruled out

By Steven Morrison   Last updated: 4th September 2007

Capaldi Tony

Capaldi's ruled out through injury

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Northern Ireland will be without two of their midfielders for their Euro 2008 qualifiers this coming week.

Damien Johnson and Tony Capaldi have both been forced to withdraw from the squad to face Latvia and Iceland through injury.

Capaldi played 90 minutes for his new club Cardiff at the weekend but suffered a strain as they beat Norwich at Ninian Park.

And Birmingham midfielder Johnson is still suffering from a hamstring problem which the 28-year-old picked-up in pre-season.

To make matters worse for Coach Nigel Worthington, Fulham defender Aaron Hughes will not recover from his ankle injury in time for Saturday's game - although the former Aston Villa player may feature in Iceland next Wednesday.

Carroll could return

Meanwhile, Rangers keeper Roy Carroll has assured Worthington that he would be ready to make a quick u-turn on his withdrawal from the national squad, if his country needed him.

Carroll had told his boss that he wanted to concentrate on his club career at Ibrox, but has admitted that he is prepared to help out if necessary.

Speaking in the Belfast Telegraph, Worthington said: "If I need Roy at any stage over the next two games I will call him up and he will play.

"He has stressed to me that he wants the door kept open on his international career but at the moment I will support him in any way I can."

It is expected that Birmingham City's Maik Taylor will take to the spotlight in goal for the upcoming qualifiers.