Worthington calls for heroes

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington gave a history lesson to his players on the eve of the World Cup qualifier against Poland and urged them to become heroes.

The province would go top of Group Three should they achieve a victory in Chorzow and Slovakia lose to the Czech Republic. With four successive victories in the campaign, there is a quiet confidence in the camp.

Worthington has already experienced the joy that comes with playing in the finals – he was part of the Northern Ireland side that secured a place in Mexico 23 years ago. Now he wants his team to emulate the class of 1986 and 1982, when they also mixed it with the world's best.

"What happened then is a great selling tool to the players and I know this group would love to emulate those sides from the past," he said. "Over the course of the next three games there is a magnificent stage for heroes to put us on the map."

Northern Ireland will look to complete the double over Poland and then face Slovakia at Windsor Park on Wednesday with their final qualifier taking place next month against the Czech Republic in Prague.