Worthington's faith in out-of-form Healy runs low

(AP)

Nigel Worthington has promised he will not disregard David Healy even though the Sunderland striker is without a goal in two years for Northern Ireland.

Healy missed a glorious chance to break the deadlock in the Euro 2012 qualifier against Italy on Friday when he headed wide at the far post. The match finished 0-0 and Healy, who is having to content himself with reserve football at his club, faces an anxious wait to see if he is in the starting line-up to face the Faroe Islands in Toftir tomorrow. There is stiff competition from Rangers' Kyle Lafferty, who looked impressive when he stepped off the bench.

"I will give plenty of thought to my starting line-up and Kyle comes into those thoughts, but I haven't made a decision," Worthington said. "I liked what Kyle did against Italy and if he can do that on a regular basis then he puts himself in a strong position for a start.

"With David, I have said I will support him but that does not mean he is always going to start," Worthington added. "I will support him through his lean period because of the quality striker he is and what he has achieved."