Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington has no intention of upsetting club managers as he prepares for his first match in charge full-time.Worthington agreed a two-year deal to remain as boss of the province last month after filling in as caretaker-manager since the departure of Lawrie Sanchez last May.

His side take on Bulgaria in a friendly at Windsor Park on Wednesday but must make do without defender Stephen Craigan after Motherwell's Scottish Cup fifth-round tie was rearranged for Tuesday night.

Worthington admits it would have been foolhardy not to allow Craigan to stay at Fir Park and is confident he has the back-up to overcome the loss.

"It was only right and proper that we gave him permission to play in that game, since we've got a friendly and want to be seen to be working with the managers as much as possible," Worthington said on Sky Sports News.

"We are all right as far as numbers in that position are concerned. We've Aaron Hughes, Gareth McAuley, Chris Baird, Sean Webb and Jonny Evans.

"We've got numbers in there which is not too bad. It is a friendly and we've got to play along with coaches and managers."

Celtic goalkeeper Michael McGovern has also pulled out of the squad with a broken finger but Birmingham midfielder Damien Johnson is set to return after an 11-month absence due to a succession of injuries.

Another player keen to make his mark is Scunthorpe striker Martin Paterson, who won a surprise first cap last November.

The 20-year-old has scored 11 goals in the Coca-Cola Championship this season after struggling to break into the Stoke side a year ago and spending time on loan at Grimsby.

His rise to prominence caught the eye of Worthington and his reward came with a 72nd-minute substitute appearance against Spain in Gran Canaria.

Paterson said: "I have got to work hard, but that is second nature to me. I want to show what I can do.

"To be involved in any international is brilliant, it's great to be involved.

"I have been playing week in, week out for Scunthorpe and that's been a great experience for me.

"I was surprised when I first got the call, when I got a letter. I couldn't believe it to be honest.

"But it is going well at the moment."

More Football News from TEAMtalk