INTERNATIONAL PREVIEWS:Slovenia v Northern Ireland

NORTHERN IRELAND manager Nigel Worthington would have no hesitation in handing Sheffield-born schoolboy Johnny Gorman his first competitive outing this evening.

Seventeen-year-old Gorman, capped three times in friendly matches without making a senior appearance for Wolves, is likely to start on the bench.

However, if recent history is anything to go by, Worthington will at some stage turn to Gorman, who attends Repton School in Derbyshire after winning a scholarship.

Worthington said: “You look back over my time as manager of Northern Ireland and I have always encouraged the younger ones to come through.”

“Johnny went to America and Chile with us in the summer and did ever so well. I think it is only right to encourage and give him the experience of travelling, hotels and working with the senior players.”

Slovenia arrived at the World Cup finals after beating Northern Ireland along the way – 2-0 at the same venue – and Worthington knows it will be just as tough two years on.

He said: “I watched Slovenia at the World Cup and I thought they did exceptionally well. I also watched them against Australia in August on DVD and they played very well again.

“I feel their players will be on a high. They are coming back to their home supporters, first game of the campaign – they’ll be up for the fight, as we will.

“We were terrific the last time we were here. Slovenia had two chances in the last five minutes and they took them.

“That was game, set, and match to Slovenia. Concentration for the course of 90 minutes is very, very important.”

Venue: Ljudski Vrt Stadium, Maribor; Kick-off: 7.45pm; On TV: Sky Sports 1, 7pm