Quinn likely to plough a lone furrow up front

Northern Ireland: v Germany

Northern Ireland manager Bryan Hamilton insists his future as manager is the last thing on his mind as his team prepares to face Germany in the World Cup qualifying game at Windsor Park tonight. Hamilton, who took over the reigns from Billy Bingham just over three years ago, saw goal difference deny his men a play-off spot for last summer's Euro '96 and now needs a miracle to go to France '98.

Yet even though his contract runs out next July, Hamilton claims that the time is not yet right to look at his own position. "I never discuss my own situation - accept with my wife who tells me what I am allowed to do next!," he says.

With Iain Dowie and Steve Lomas suspended and goalkeepers Tommy Wright and Alan Fettis suspended, Hamilton's young team will have to come of age overnight if the road to France isn't going to be closed.

Blackpool's 22-year-old striker James Quinn looks likely to plough a lone furrow up front ahead of a four-man midfield of Keith Gillespie, Neil Lennon, Michael Hughes and Jim Magilton, who is set to captain the team for the first time.

Ian Nolan and Kevin Horlock are favourites to be employed as wing-backs, with Steve Morrow sweeping behind Gerry Taggart and Colin Hill.

Hamilton will leave it as late as possible before unveiling his line-up, but with Wright and Fettis absent, Grimsby keeper Aidan Davison will win his third cap.

Northern Ireland are eight points behind group nine leaders Ukraine having both played eight games and trail second-placed Germany, who have played two games less, by four points. They have also played a game more than Portugal who they also trail by four points.

The clash with Germany is followed by trips to Albania and Portugal - leaving Hamilton's men with an awesome task ahead of them.

However, they are unbeaten in five games and 20 years against the European champions - Hamilton actually faced Berti Vogts as a player when West Germany romped home 5-0 in Cologne in April 1977 - and the 1-1 draw in Nuremberg last November showed that they can live with the best.

Germany have been hit by an injury to key midfielder Thomas Strunz (29) and coach Berti Vogts admits his Belfast battleplan could now be re-designed with the Bayern Munich star, who was expected to be used as a buffer in front of a three-man central defence, suffering a back injury in an accidental clash with striker Oliver Bierhoff in training.