Northern Ireland boss Sammy McIlroy today named his squad for next month's World Cup qualifier double-header against the Czech Republic and Bulgaria but he has been hit by major injury problems ahead of these vital fixtures. Long-term injury victim Steve Lomas has now been joined by Jim Magilton, Jon McCarthy, Gerry Taggart and Andy Kirk.
Magilton is due to have an operation on veins in his leg next month while Taggert is also due to undergo surgery on his knee. McCarthy broke his leg while playing for Preston in the Division One play-off semi-final. Kevin Horlock has also been left out of the squad because he is not yet match-fit while Hearts striker Andy Kirk has been forced to withdraw today through injury, leaving just three recognised forwards left in the squad. McIlroy is now deliberating about whether or not to call up a replacement striker from his stand-by list.
McIlroy will also be without Mark Williams for the first of the qualifiers against Bulgaria on Saturday week because he is suspended. However, there was some good news for the Northern Ireland boss with the return of Philip Mulryne. Jeff Whitley is also expected to be fit despite picking up a leg wound last Saturday.
A further problem for McIlroy today is the news that the Northern Ireland Under 21 team will have to play at Windsor Park a mere 24 hours before the senior team's clash with Bulgaria. The IFA have no choice as no other pitch is available because they are all under repair. McIlroy is concerned about what state the surface of the pictch will be in following the Under-21 match. "It's a bit of a blow and if it rains at the Under-21 game it could be bad. I thought the pitch was very bobbly for the Irish Cup final, but really that's just a matter of watering the pitch. I'll be speaking to the groundsman to see what he can do before our game," he explained.
Northern Ireland squad: Carroll (Wigan), Taylor (Fulham), A Hughes (Newcastle), Williams (Wimbledon), Murdock (Preston), Griffin (Dundee Utd), Nolan (Bradford), Elliott (Motherwell), Lennon (Celtic), Johnson (Blackburn), Gillespie (Blackburn), M Hughes (Wimbledon), Whitley (Man City), Mulryne (Norwich), Kennedy (Watford), Healy (Preston), Ferguson (Linfield), Quinn (West Brom).
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
