O'Connor likely to get NI start

World Cup 2010 qualifying Group Three: N Ireland v San Marino
Venue: Windsor Park Date: Wednesday, 15 October Kick-off: 1945 BST Coverage: Radio Ulster MW, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra and the BBC Sport website

---

O'Connor played well against the Czech Republic

Midfielder Michael O'Connor is likely to start for Northern Ireland in Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against San Marino at Windsor Park.

O'Connor made a positive impression after being introduced as a substitute for the second half of the recent home 0-0 draw with the Czech Republic.

With Jonny Evans suspended, Chris Baird is set to drop back from midfield to defence with O'Connor coming in.

Manager Nigel Worthington is also without Chris Brunt and Sammy Clingan.

Both pulled out of the squad for the qualifiers away to Slovenia and home to San Marino through injury.

Worthington must choose between Baird and Gareth McAuley for the central defensive role alongside skipper Aaron Hughes, with the other playing at right-back.

Ipswich Town skipper McAuley may be favourite to partner Hughes in the heart of defence.

With his options limited due to unavailability of players, it is unlikely that Worthington will make any other changes to his starting XI.

Crewe midfielder O'Connor replaced the injured Clingan midway through last month's joust with the Czechs.

Evans is absent after picking up his second yellow card of the campaign in Saturday's defeat in Slovenia.

Linfield midfielder Michael Gault was drafted into the squad on Monday and is set to be among the substitutes.

Gault earned his only full cap when he came on as a substitute in the 4-1 friendly win over Georgia in March.

Northern Ireland go into the Windsor Park game with their qualification hopes already hanging by a thread.

Worthington's team have claimed only one point from their opening three games and Saturday's defeat by Slovenia was a bitter blow with Northern Ireland being beaten by two late goals.