Key defender over illness scare

George McCartney will be fit to play for Northern Ireland in their World Cup qualifier against Slovakia after illness.

The deadline day buy from Sunderland has been struggling with a bout of pneumonia which forced him to sit out the recent friendly clash with Scotland.

But McCartney, whose sale was part of Alan Curbishley's decision to resign as West Ham boss, will be available for the clash in Bratislava, along with Keith Gillespie. The Sheffield United winger is fit after recovering from an ankle injury.

There is no Kyle Lafferty, with the Rangers man ruled out due to a back injury, so Nigel Worthington is expected to call upon Warren Feeney to partner David Healy up front.

Defender Jonny Evans, who was also rated doubtful, trained with the rest of the squad on Thursday and is also expected to take his place in the side to face Slovakia.