Norn Iron will be without Michael Duff and Jonto for the upcoming game in Stockholm.
Jonto has been touch and go for a while but Duff, who has been a defensive stalwart, looks to be out for the rest of the campaign following a serious knee injury against Palace on Saturday.
Just to rub salt into Worthington's already stinging eyes, Leicester's Gareth McAuley has revealed that his club now takes priority putting all future international commitment on hold.
"I'll see this campaign out and after that I'll be thinking of the future," said the Leicester City player.
"If I'm going away for 10 days and I am not being involved it frustrates me and it knocks your confidence a bit."
Worthington phoned the 27-year-old at the weekend to break the news that he is not in the panel for the qualifier in Stockholm. "It's something I'm not very happy about but I've just got to take it on the chin," added McAuley. "He's cut the squad back and myself and a couple of other lads are disappointed.
"He just said to keep doing what you are doing at your club and you will get a chance. "It's very frustrating, especially after watching the performance against Latvia. "He said he was going to make changes but I didn't even make the bench for the second game (in Iceland). It is very hard going away for 10 days, rushing back and having no preparation for club games, which is not the best for Leicester."
Could it get any worse? Yes.
It looks like Keith Gillespie is also a doubt after the Blades' 3-3 draw at Bramell Lane. So, all in all it's not looking too good at all.
N Ireland must beat Sweden in Stockholm. Nothing less will do. With confidence now at a low for the first time in a long time it is difficult to see how Worthington can come out of this smelling of anything but excrement. |
