Worthington asks Northern Ireland to think of home

Nigel Worthington, the manager of Northern Ireland, has called on his side to turn a corner of Slovenia into a Belfast enclave today so they can get their World Cup campaign up and running.

The renovated Ljudski VRT Stadium will be packed to its 12,262 capacity, creating a partisan atmosphere similar to Windsor Park. Worthington is hoping they can use that situation to their advantage with 1,200 travelling fans playing their part at a ground known locally as the People's Garden.

He said: "I have told the players to treat the stadium like Windsor Park and focus on that scenario. We will have 1,200 fans in a crowd of 12,000 and hopefully if they will make enough noise it will feel like a home match."

Northern Ireland need a bit of luck after taking only one point from their opening two games. David Healy scored a record 13 goals in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign but has yet to get off the mark in this. Worthington believes the Sunderland striker will soon get a reward for his hard work.

"David's mood has been first class," he said. "We have done ample work with him this week as far as finishing is concerned and he has enjoyed that.

"He is training with a smile on his face. When he comes with Northern Ireland there is no one prouder or happier than him to be training or representing his country."

Northern Ireland (probable; 4-4-2): M Taylor (Birmingham City); Baird (Fulham), Evans (Manchester United), Hughes (Fulham), McCartney (Sunderland); Gillespie (Sheffield United), Davis (Rangers), McCann (Scunthorpe), Brunt (West Bromwich); Healey (Sunderland), Lafferty (Rangers).