Taylor to captain NI in Glasgow

SCOTLAND v NORTHERN IRELAND
Venue: Hampden Park Date: Wednesday, 20 August Kick-off: 2000 BST Coverage: Live on BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Ulster and coverage on the BBC Sport website

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Maik Taylor will lead Northern Ireland on Wednesday

Goalkeeper Maik Taylor has been handed the captain's armband for Northern Ireland's friendly match against Scotland in Glasgow on Wednesday night.

The Birmingham City goalkeeper leads the side in the absence of regular skipper Aaron Hughes, who is injured.

Manager Nigel Worthington has only 16 fit players to choose from following a number of withdrawals in recent days.

Hughes, Kyle Lafferty, Keith Gillespie, George McCartney and Peter Thompson all miss the Hampden clash through injury.

Stockport striker Thompson has been ruled out because of a thigh injury.

Gillespie pulled out on Monday because of an ankle injury while Hughes, McCartney and Lafferty withdrew over the weekend.

Young Manchester City defender Ryan McGivern has received his first call-up following the withdrawals.

Thompson will miss out on the first Northern Ireland game played since his move from Linfield to Stockport.

Fulham defender Hughes suffered an ankle injury in their 2-1 defeat by Hull in Saturday's Premier League opener at the KC Stadium.

Rangers striker Lafferty came off with a hamstring problem after scoring against Hearts on Saturday.

606: DEBATE I think Evans will go into the centre of defence, McAuley will be at right back and Feeney will partner Healy MBE up front NI_Football

West Ham full-back McCartney is recovering from a bout of pneumonia, and returned to training with his club on Monday after missing pre-season and Saturday's 2-1 win over Wigan.

McGivern was part of the Northern Ireland Under-20 Elite squad which recently won the Milk Cup event in Northern Ireland.

The 18-year-old Newry lad caught Worthington's eye at the youth tournament and the Northern Ireland manager said that he was "very impressed".

"He's fresh and he's enthusiastic and he's a very good player," said Worthington.

Dean Shiels and Michael Duff are back in the full squad for the Hampden Park game.

Hibernian midfielder Shiels won the last of his four caps 18 months ago and it is his first call-up since Worthington took over as manager.

Burnley defender Duff is back after a year out with a knee injury.

McCartney's absence means that Jonny Evans is likely to start at left-back instead of centre-back, where he would have been a candidate to replace the injured Hughes.

Ipswich's Gareth McAuley is now likely to be handed the opportunity to partner Stephen Craigan of Motherwell at the centre of defence.

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Northern Ireland squad:

Goalkeepers: M Taylor (Birmingham City), A Mannus (Linfield).

Defenders: C Baird (Fulham), S Craigan (Motherwell), R McGivern (Manchester City), G McAuley (Ipswich Town), J Evans (Manchester United), M Duff (Burnley).

Midfielders: S Davis (Fulham), M O'Connor (Crewe Alexandra), S Clingan (Norwich City), C Brunt (West Bromwich Albion), D Shiels (Hibernian).

Forwards: D Healy (Fulham), W Feeney (Cardiff City, on loan at Dundee United); M Paterson (Burnley).