Euro 2008 qualifying:Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington never even considered leaving Keith Gillespie out of his squad for the Euro 2008 qualifier in Sweden following his clash with George McCartney.

The 32-year-old Sheffield United winger was fined after clashing with his team-mate on the plane back from last month's 2-1 defeat in Iceland in which his late own goal had cost his country a precious point.

However, Worthington yesterday named both men in a 19-strong squad for next Wednesday night's tough trip to Sweden and did not have to think twice about it.

He said: "No, not at all. Northern Ireland do not have the biggest numbers to pick and choose from, so when you have George, a current Premier League player, and Keith, who has got a wealth of experience and has played at the top end throughout his career, they are automatically in the squad.

"It never crossed my mind. The situation was dealt with very promptly and firmly and we now look onwards and upwards."

Gillespie, however, could yet miss the game as he battles to recover from the hamstring injury which kept him out of his club's 2-0 Championship defeat at Bristol City on Saturday.

Worthington will take a decision on the midfielder and Manchester United defender Jonny Evans - who is struggling with an ankle problem - tomorrow, the day before the squad meets up, with Glentoran striker Gary Hamilton and Accrington Stanley's Sean Webb on stand-by.

The manager said: "Jonny Evans and Keith Gillespie are both rated at 50-50."

Northern Ireland currently lie third in Group F behind Sweden and Spain, three points adrift on 16, but have to travel to both countries in their final three games.