Worthington's great expectations

The shadow of Lawrie Sanchez looms large over Nigel Worthington as the new Northern Ireland coach faces his first test against Liechtenstein in Belfast on Wednesday.

Famous victories
Sanchez lifted the men in green into the limelight with famous wins against England, Spain and Sweden, the latter two helping to put Northern Ireland into serious contention for UEFA EURO 2008™ qualification. His subsequent departure for Fulham FC precipitated Worthington's appointment at the start of June with the 45-year-old charged with guiding his country to a major tournament for the first time since the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

Sanchez signings
Four of the Northern Ireland squad - captain Aaron Hughes, defender Chris Baird, midfielder Steven Davis and top scorer David Healy - have since joined Sanchez at Fulham's Craven Cottage and Worthington will hope to benefit from the quartet playing regular Premier League football. Healy has already showed his quality with two poacher's goals but the news has not been entirely good for Northern Ireland.

Defender recalled
Hughes has been ruled out of the Liechtenstein game with an injury sustained in pre-season training and the skipper's presence will be missed, as will that of fellow defender Jonny Evans of Manchester United FC, who is sidelined by an ongoing groin problem. Worthington has recalled George McCartney - who had fallen out with Sanchez - and Gareth McAuley to fill the gaps. Baird will captain the team in Hughes's absence.

Huge task
Liechtenstein may present a straightforward-looking start for Worthington whose team will climb into second place in Group F, two points behind leaders Sweden, if they win. Yet it should be noted that the visitors from the Alpine principality have beaten Latvia and drawn in Iceland this year. Moreover, with four of Northern Ireland's remaining six games away from home - including trips to Spain and Sweden - the coach knows that "there's still a lot of work to do" even if he starts with three points on Wednesday.

Extra pressure
Worthington has cited the "good platform" left by Sanchez, whom he praised "for leaving the squad in such good shape", but his predecessor's success - he won four of six qualifying games in this group - has left the new man facing increased levels of expectation. "I am fully aware of the enormity of the task and the expectations of the supporters," said Worthington.

Stylistic changes
Some fans are concerned that a change of style may affect the team. Sanchez favoured a direct approach, while Worthington has said: "I do like to pass the ball. I want us to play good football." Still, he acknowledged that he wants his team to play "football that scores goals and wins games" and added: "If something isn't broken, you don't have to mend it." He has had to do running repairs on the squad he named last week, though. Apart from losing Evans, Birmingham City FC midfielder Damien Johnson is also ruled out with a hamstring problem, meaning call-ups for Hull City AFC winger Stuart Elliott and the versatile Sean Webb of Ross County FC.