McCartney and Gillespie ready

GROUP THREE:NORTHERN IRELAND pair George McCartney and Keith Gillespie are in line to face the Czech Republic at Windsor Park tonight.

Both players trained yesterday after suffering hamstring and ankle problems in the defeat by Slovakia on Saturday. It is a welcome double boost for manager Nigel Worthington ahead of this crucial home qualifier.

He said: "George trained very well and Keith also joined in. He has got some energy back after the exertions of the weekend. I am glad to say we have a clean bill of health."

Northern Ireland's record scorer David Healy is determined to rediscover his scoring touch following the defeat by Slovakia. Healy wants to give the supporters something to shout about this time and that is why he has been putting in extra shifts.

Manager Nigel Worthington has spoken of his astonishment at spying the Sunderland striker in the gym before breakfast. The former Norwich boss believes it is a statement of intent from Healy that he is hurting after the events of Bratislava.

Worthington said: "I was on a bike and in walked David at half past seven. I had to look look twice to see if it was him.

"That said to me he was disappointed about the Slovakia game and he wanted to do something about it. He was in the gym, in the pool then went to training with the other players with a smile on his face, which is what you like to see."

Healy sealed a move to Sunderland from Fulham last month and is keen to get a run of games under his belt following a downturn in his fortunes at Craven Cottage.

The Czech Republic are ranked eighth in the world and Worthington puts them on par with England and Spain.

He said: "The Czechs have a lot of experience and if you give them half a yard, they can pass the ball for fun.

"We will try and make it a good British game, get a few tackles in and stay close to them.

"If it is raining and windy that will be right up our street. It will be a good challenge and a good game."