The huge contingent of Norn Iron fans are now starting to arrive on the blisteringly hot streets of Bratislava in their bid to watch Healy and the boys get off to a good start on Saturday in the opening game of the 2010 World Cup Qualifying campaign.
With news that Kyle Lafferty has been sent back to Glasgow for treatment on his back, it looks as if any advantage we have in the air is gone. It's not all doom and gloom though with Keef Gillespie back training, but Worthers could be left with a headache in terms of selection.
Gillespie, who was crucial in our comparative success during the Euro 2008 qualifiers, may find himself pushed out in favour of Martin Paterson who has been firing them in at Burnley. Then there's the problem with what to do with Jonny Evans. Hughsie returns and it is very unlikely that Stephen Craigan will be omitted from the starting X1. Biggles McCartney must also be a no-brainer at left-back. Basically, someone will have to go and at this stage it looks as if it will have to be Gareth McAuley who had an excellent game at right-back against the Scots. Chris Baird could also find himself on the bench.
The temperatures are a Brazilian 31 degrees today but it's hoped the 5.30 kick-off on Saturday will not cause too many problems.
"We know very little about the Slovakians but you can be assured we are in for a physical battle and their team will be full of man-mountains," Sammy Clingan told the Belfast Telegraph.
"It's warm out here, something we haven't been used to in recent weeks but I don't envisage the heat being a problem when we kick off."
Northern Ireland have had a poor start in their last two competitive qualification starts so it is hoped three points against the Slovaks will put us in good stead for our home tie next Wednesday against the Czech Republic. |
