World Cup qual. - Lafferty blow for Northern Ireland

Eurosport - Tue, 08 Sep 17:02:00 2009

Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty will miss the crucial World Cup qualifier against Slovakia with a knee injury.

FOOTBALL Northern Ireland captain Kyle Lafferty, who will miss the crucial World Cup qualifier against Slovakia with a knee injury. - 0

"The 21-year-old underwent a scan on a knee injury sustained in the 1-1 draw against Poland," the Irish FA said.

"He was then assessed by the team's medical staff and it was decided that no risk would be put on the player nor Glasgow Rangers or Northern Ireland - he has therefore been withdrawn from the squad for Wednesday's game.

"Lafferty will return immediately to his club."

Burnley striker Martin Paterson is set to partner David Healy in attack.

Forwards Warren Feeney and Andrew Little are both missing injured so Accrington Stanley striker Billy Kee has been called up.

Kee, 18, is on loan from Leicester and played for the U21 team that lost 2-0 to the Czech Republic in a European Championship qualifying game last week.

West Bromwich Albion winger Chris Brunt has joined up with the squad in Belfast after missing the game in Poland with a calf injury.

Fulham defender Chris Baird is also back after a one-match ban but Sunderland left-back George McCartney is still absent.

Nigel Worthington's side are second in Group 3, two points behind leaders Slovakia who have a game in hand.

Eurosport

Comment 1 - 7 of 7

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  1. Come on Norn Iron, show the world that a country with­ a population of just approx 1.7 million can beat the­ big boys and qualify for RSA.

    From Tag.., on Wed 9 Sep 8:20AM

  2. hope we do see the northerners in RSA. be much better­ than watching the trash from down south ciaran.

    come­ on northern ireland

    From david, on Tue 8 Sep 5:59PM

  3. well, i am not familiar with any of the names above,­ but its surely gonna be a tough match against northern­ ireland..
    lets settle for a draw guys, and they we will­ be all happy :)

    C U in south africa.. :)))

    p.s.
    be­ aware of Weiss and Stoch from Slovakia.. U'll see­ :)))
    SLOVAKIA on the road to RSA!!!!

    From tomas, on Tue 8 Sep 3:37PM

  4. hope we dont see those northerners at the world cup

    From Ciaran, on Tue 8 Sep 2:29PM

  5. shame...

    From david, on Tue 8 Sep 1:38PM

  6. Shockaroony....but he will be playing for Scumgers a­ few days later

    From offmymash, on Tue 8 Sep 12:18PM

  7. When did Lafferty become Northern Ireland captain? Has­ anyone told Aaron Hughes?

    From garyfreeburn, on Tue 8 Sep 11:20AM
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