Tuesday, March 2, 2010

NI match in Albania to go ahead

International friendly - Albania v Northern Ireland
Venue: Qemal Stafa Stadium, Tirana Date: Wed, 3 March Kick-off: 1945 GMT Coverage: Live on BBC Red Button, BBC Sport Website and Radio Ulster MW, highlights on BBC One NI at 2315


Andrew Little training with NI manager Nigel Worthington
Andrew Little training with NI manager Nigel Worthington

Northern Ireland's friendly in Albania is expected to go ahead on Wednesday night despite concerns about the state of the pitch in Tirana.

Nigel Worthington's squad did not train at the Qemal Stafa Stadium on Tuesday because the pitch was waterlogged.

"There are parts of the pitch where you sink up to your ankles when you walk on it," said BBC Radio Ulster analyst and former NI defender John O'Neill.

"There has not been much rain overnight and I think the game will go ahead."

Worthington is using this match as preparation for the European Championship qualifying games later this year.

Northern Ireland's downfall in the past has been a failure to win away to nations placed lower than them in the world rankings.

"This is the type of opposition we are going to face when we go to the Faroe Islands and Estonia," said former Leicester City player O'Neill.

"We are going to have to beat teams like this home and away.

"So from that point of view it is going to be good preparation.

"Northern Ireland and friendlies do not go together well. However they are necessary evils and I think it is all down to the players' frame of mind."

Worthington is without a number of first-choice stars.

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans returned to his club on Tuesday because of injury.

Evans suffered a knock to his knee during United's Carling Cup win over Aston Villa, but still made the trip to the Albanian capital.

NI are also without injured trio Damien Johnson, Chris Brunt and Gareth McAuley and the unavailable Warren Feeney.

Evans' brother Corry was due to link up with the squad after playing for the Northern Ireland Under-21s in their European qualifier win over San Marino on Tuesday.

The loss of Evans means Northern Ireland are down to four defenders from the original squad - Stephen Craigan, George McCartney, Ryan McGivern and Andrew Little.

The squad trained on an artificial pitch as the surface at the riverside Qemal Stafa Stadium was waterlogged.

Conditions are expected to be tricky but Worthington told his players to face the challenge - or else.

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He said: "I am not concerned about the pitch at all. I have been through the situation on many occasions. It has never been a problem.

"I won't have it as an excuse for an inept performance or an indifferent performance. It is not the best pitch as there has been a lot of rain and it is very heavy in the middle.

"What it is going to show me is the mental strength of some of our players. That is what trips are all about, dealing with these situations and not being distracted.

"I have told the players you are not going to be playing on Premier League pitches when you come abroad. So you have got to be adaptable and perform to get the result you want."

Little comes in at right back, although he has played as a striker, Craigan and McCartney make up the central defensive partnership with Ryan McGivern on the left.

For Little there is every chance to make the spot his own.

"The right back situation has never been nailed down, " said the Northern Ireland boss.

"Rangers have started converting Andrew to a right back in the last 12 months.

"So it is an ideal opportunity for him to play in that role for us and for me to see what he can do."


Digital viewers can press red from 1940 GMT to watch the game, just follow the links to the Sport Multiscreen. There will also be full coverage on BBC Radio Ulster 1341 MW from 1930 GMT. Highlights will be shown on BBC1 NI at 2315 GMT.

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