Sanchez has more than one goal

Northern Ireland's new Lawrie Sanchez era kicks off this evening with the manager bemoaning old problems. The Irish have rarely been known for strength in depth, and Sanchez is also concerned by strength in terms of physique.

"I would like to play with a big, strong front-man with a smaller man off him," Sanchez said of the British-style football the Irish will seek to impose on, first, Norway and then Estonia in another friendly next month.

The trouble is that the Northern Ireland squad is lightweight physically. Not since Iain Dowie retired have they possessed a traditional leader-of-the-line centre forward, and tonight it is likely that Preston North End's David Healy will wear the number nine shirt. Healy has his qualities but he is no muscleman.

And his partner is expected to be Andy Smith, who plays for the Irish League club Glentoran.

That is one reason why Sanchez is keen to spread the net to broaden Northern Ireland's gene pool.

"I'm ploughing through the eligibility rules to see who I can bring in," he said. "That might include, for example, players with a Caribbean background who have not played competitively for another country."

However, Manchester City's Jonathan Macken, who does have Irish ancestry, has made it clear that he wishes to play for the Republic. It would be difficult for Macken to now declare for the North.

But that is for tomorrow. Tonight is all about Northern Ireland trying to get a goal after more than two years without one.

"I want us to score, of course I do," he added. "But I want to win the game. There's no point breaking the duck and losing. It's the start of a long journey, but we're all fresh. Let's go.

"Once a goal goes in that's one monkey off our back and we can start addressing the other ones, like winning a football match, like getting ourselves in a situation where we're higher than we are in the world rankings."

Keith Gillespie, 29 today, is optimistic. "It is always exciting when a new manager comes in, and I am determined to play a big part," he said.

"The lack of goals has been a major problem in the last couple of years, but there is a lot of ability in the squad. If we get an early goal I think you will see the confidence grow in the players."

Sanchez has admitted he is suffering from fatigue as he prepares for his first match in charge.

The former Wycombe boss has worked round the clock since replacing Sammy McIlroy just three weeks ago.

"I am exhausted, because it has been really hectic since I took over," he said.

"There has been so much to do, so much to organise. It has been nice to see players for the first time. I can't wait for the game to start - I just need a good night's sleep."

One of his key tasks was to get his backroom staff assembled, and Gerry Armstrong, Terry Gibson and goalkeeper Dave Beasant are now in place on a match-by-match basis.

NORTHERN IRELAND (probable, 4-4-2) Taylor; Baird, Aaron Hughes, McCartney, Kennedy; Gillespie, Whitley, Michael Hughes, Johnson; Smith, Healy.

NORWAY (squad): Myhre, Skjeldestad, Andersen, Andresen, Bakke, El Fakiri, H Flo, Hangeland, Hanstveit, Helstad, Hoset, Hoiland, Iverson, Johnsen, Riise, Rushfeldt, Sorenson, Tessem.

Guardian Service