Manchester City midfielder Kevin Horlock has withdrawn from Northern Ireland's squad for tomorrow's friendly with Switzerland at Windsor Park. Horlock has suffered a recurrence of an old groin strain, but no replacement is to be drafted in by manager Lawrie McMenemy.
Maine Road team-mate Jim Whitley has also pulled out of the under21 match against the Swiss at Lurgan today with an Achilles tendon problem.
Michael Hughes, the Wimbledon winger, missed Northern Ireland's first training session yesterday because of a migraine, but he is expected to be fit for Wednesday.
"This type of headache can be nasty and we decided to keep him in his room at the hotel," said McMenemy.
The Northern Ireland boss will not name his side until today, but there is a possibility that Colin Murdock, the Preston central defender, may come in for Colin Hill (Northampton), who is under treatment for a pulled hamstring.
McMenemy is expected to rely on the bulk of the squad who defeated Slovakia 1-0 at Windsor Park last month in his first match in charge.
With his assistant Joe Jordan he has studied videos of the Swiss, whom he described as "much more attractive and colourful than the Slovaks".
McMenemy added: "They will provide formidable opposition for us and, like ourselves, are preparing for the European Championships commencing next season."
Homely Mourneview Park in mid-Ulster is not exactly the most glamorous place to make an international debut - but Maik Taylor is not complaining.
The Fulham goalkeeper will make his Irish debut in todays' under-21 friendly at the modest Lurgan ground, which is home to Irish League side Glenavon.
But Taylor is no stranger to performing on such stages after playing with Farnborough Town in the GM Vauxhall Conference before Ray Clemence gave him his big break with Barnet.
"I've played at a few small places in my time, so I'm used to them," he said. "I don't mind what the ground is like as long as the pitch is okay."
Taylor (26), who is eligible for the Irish as a British passport-holder born outside the United Kingdom, is in the side as an over-age player.
