Worthington pinning hopes on San Marino shock

Published on Friday 5 June 2009 22:07

NORTHERN Ireland manager Nigel Worthington has admitted he will be keeping an ear out for events in Slovakia tonight while his young side face a daunting test against World Champions Italy in a friendly in Pisa.

Worthington has taken a youthful squad with him to Tuscany and has promised to blood some of his younger players in what will largely be an experiment for both nations.

However, Slovakia's clash with San Marino is a more serious affair and could well be pivotal in Northern Ireland's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup next year.

With their lead at the top of Group 3 standing at just a point over Slovakia, and that after having played two games more, Worthington is keen to hear good news coming from Bratislava.

"We live in hope," he said. "Slovakia are at home and, if I was a betting man, I would expect them to get three points.

"We have played San Marino twice and beaten them both times, but they might just take two points off somebody and if that could happen tonight, that would be another shot in the arm for our lads."

However, Worthington's main focus is on the events at the Arena Garibaldi tonight where at least four players will make their international debuts.

Crusaders defender Colin Coates and Coleraine midfielder Stephen Carson have had their places in the starting XI confirmed, meaning at least two Irish League clubs will have representation on the field from the beginning.

Chris Casement and Corry Evans will also pick up their first caps and Worthington is delighted to be able to give them this chance to make their international bows.

He said: "There is a lot of inexperience out there, but how do you get experience? You only get experience by giving people the opportunity.

"I am one for giving people opportunities and that's all I as manager can do. I can present opportunities to people and thereafter it's up to them to go grab the bull by the horns.

"I think just to be involved in the game like some of the players tonight is a wonderful experience and something that will stay with them."

Coates was singled out for particular praise by Worthington, who tips him to be one of the next exports to the Premier League, along with Carson.

"I have been very impressed with Colin in training and in the cup final," he said. "Some of these smaller centre halves have a great spring. Colin has a great leap and a powerful neck for heading the ball – he heads the ball really well.

"The other one who has really caught my eye in training is Stephen, who has performed well in all the sessions that we have done and it would not surprise me, even though he is 28, that maybe there is somebody who could take a gamble on him."

Italy coach Marcelo Lippi is not going to take anything for granted tonight as he seeks important signs from his side ahead of their departure for the Confederations Cup.

He too has picked a largely inexperienced side, built around World Cup winners Gennaro Gattuso, making his return after a five-month injury absence, and Fabio Grosso, the man who struck the winning penalty in the Berlin final against France three years ago.