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Northern Ireland will be looking to shrug off a disappointing start to their World Cup qualifying campaign by collecting maximum points from their next two matches starting with Slovenia on Saturday. Watch all the live footy action here on Live Sport Network.

 

 

After an impressive Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, expectations were high of Northern Ireland pulling off an upset and qualify to the World Cup finals for the first time since 1986. However they got off to a worst start possible after losing out 2-1 to Slovakia in their first match, though they put up an improved performance to hold Czech Republic to a 0-0 draw at home in the next match.

Northern Ireland coach Nigel Worthington will be aware that his side will have to collect all three points against Slovenia on Saturday and repeat the performance against minnows San Marino four days later if they are to remain in the hunt for the two qualification places. Worthington will be without three key players for the double header with Sammy Clingan, Stephen Craigan and Michael Duff all out injured.

 

 

However Kyle Lafferty makes a return to the national squad after missing the matches against Slovakia and Czech Republic with a back injury as has Steve Davis who missed the match against Czechs citing personal reasons. Manchester City's Ryan McGivern, who made his debut in August against Scotland, has been called up as a replacement for Chris Brunt who is out with an injury.

Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek will be hoping to take advantage of Northern Ireland's poor away record to notch up a second straight victory in the qualifiers. Slovenia started their campaign with a good performance in their 1-1 draw away to Poland and then defeated arch rivals Slovakia 2-1 to move second in the group table, level on points with Poland.

 

 

Anton Zlogar is a serious doubt for the match against Northern Ireland and Kek has called up Aleksander Radosavljevic and Ales Mejac as back ups in case the midfielder is forced to sit out with the injury. Kek will be aware that his side will put themselves into a strong position if they manage to come out with minimal damage against Northern Ireland and Czech Republic which will see them move closer to their second World Cup final appearance in more than a decade.

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