Monday 15 October 2012

O'Neill Faces Porto Selection Problem

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Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill faces some selection dilemmas for Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Portugal after a series of withdrawals from his squad over recent weeks.

Gareth McAuley, Shane Ferguson and Chris Brunt are among 10 players who are unavailable for the game in Porto.

O'Neill can call upon a relatively experienced back four but his options in midfield appear very limited.

Kyle Lafferty is likely to start up front, with Dean Shiels supporting him.

Roy Carroll will play in goal for the second match in succession after prising the number one jersey from Lee Camp, who is still absent from the squad for "personal reasons".

On Sunday, Carroll called on his international rival to make himself available again.

"I don't know how long he is going to take a break for and I hope he comes back as soon as possible.

"I liked the fight for number one, me and Maik Taylor did it for a number of years and I think we liked the competition.

"I have been in two squads with Lee before and he is a quality keeper.

"He spoke to me and said he had to go home, because he has family things to see to, and said he was sorry to go.

"I said he should sort himself out, but he should come back as soon as he can.

Craig Cathcart, Jonny Evans, Aaron Hughes and Ryan McGivern look likely to make up the defence, with Chris Baird playing just in front.

Skipper Steven Davis is set to occupy the centre of midfield, leaving O'Neill to fill another two places on his teamsheet to face the Euro 2012 semi-finalists.

His options include Hull City's Corry Evans, Huddersfield Town's Oliver Norwood and Celtic winger Pat McCourt.

The selection of McCourt would usually be regarded as a luxury for difficult away fixtures of this nature but O'Neill's hand may be forced by the absence of so many key players, especially on the left side of midfield.

David Healy may also come into the mix because of his experience, although the NI manager is more likely to start with just one striker given the strength of the opposition.

West Brom defender McAuley is suspended while Alex Bruce, James McPake, Joe Dudgeon, Grant MCann, Brunt, Ferguson, Martin Paterson and Jamie Ward are all absent through injury.

Midfielder Sammy Clingan remains out of the panel as he is still without a club.

Northern Ireland lost their opening qualifying game against Russia in September, and then drew 1-1 at home to Luxembourg at Windsor Park four days later.

Portugal lost 1-0 to Russia on Friday and lie second in the group on six points, three behind the Russians.

The Portuguese will be without injured pair Fabio Coentrao and Raul Meireles in Porto, while skipper Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to win his 100th international cap.

Northern Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Roy Carroll (Olympiakos), Alan Mannus (St Johnstone), Michael McGovern (Falkirk)

Defenders: Aaron Hughes (Fulham), Ryan McGivern (Manchester City), Jonny Evans (Manchester United), Craig Cathcart (Blackpool), Lee Hodson (Watford), Daniel Lafferty (Burnley), Rory McArdle (Bradford City).

Midfielders: Chris Baird (Fulham), Steven Davis (Southampton), Oliver Norwood (Huddersfield), Corry Evans (Hull), Niall McGinn (Aberdeen), Pat McCourt (Celtic), Josh Carson (Ipswich)

Forwards: David Healy (Bury), Dean Shiels (Rangers), Kyle Lafferty (FC Sion), Will Grigg (Walsall)


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