N Ireland v Slovenia preview

Northern Ireland will bid to get their campaign to finish second in Group C back on track by completing a double over Slovenia.

Corry Evans’ goal in Slovenia back in September gave Nigel Worthington’s side the perfect start to their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign and that was followed up by a 0-0 draw at home to group favourites Italy.

However, Northern Ireland subsequently drew away with the Faroe Islands before seeing a half-time lead overturned to lose 2-1 in Serbia on Friday night.

In a tightly-packed group, though, the runners-up spot behind Italy is up for grabs and another three points against Slovenia will boost Northern Ireland’s prospects of reaching the play-offs.

Worthington will be forced into making changes to his side at Windsor Park and there will also be a new captain leading out the team.

Team news

Gareth McAuley will skipper the side on Tuesday night after Chris Baird was given the armband against Serbia to mark his 50th cap for his country.

Aaron Hughes is out due to a shoulder injury suffered against Serbia and Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty will miss out with a knee problem.

Leading scorer David Healy is suspended, so Worthington has called up Millwall striker Josh McQuoid to provide cover.

Stephen Craigan has also been added to the squad, while goalkeeper Lee Camp is set to make his second appearance for Northern Ireland in the absence of the injured Maik Taylor.

Slovenia are currently two points ahead of Northern Ireland in the table, but have played a game more and lost 1-0 at home to Italy on Friday.

Defender Bostjan Cesar is suspended for the visitors, while goalkeeper Samir Handanovic and striker Milivoje Novakovic are set to win their 50th caps.