Sanchez set to give youth its fling

LAWRIE SANCHEZ is ready to give some of his rookies a taste of the high life against Estonia tonight.

The Northern Ireland manager wants to see how his inexperienced side will cope in front of a sell-out Windsor Park crowd.

Michael Duff, Ivan Sproule, Chris Brunt and Warren Feeney could all be drafted into the team.

Sanchez said: “The match gives me a chance to look at one or two of the youngsters from the start.

“Most of the these players will be involved in the qualifiers for the European Championship for the next two years.”

With only four regulars sidelined through injury and suspension - Aaron Hughes, Damien Johnson, Roy Carroll and Keith Gillespie - Sanchez believes he has a group committed to the cause long term.

“A lot of people have paid lip service to playing international football and I hope that is over,” said Sanchez. “No-one can question the commitment of the players who are missing. We now have a group of players who want nothing more than to do their best for Northern Ireland.

“Sometimes friendlies are the hardest to turn up for. But during the latter part of my time here, the players’ attitude has been first class.

“When you’re down to people, who want to be here, you can often get results in that situation.”

Windsor Park will be full, though there is talk of some fans staging a protest at the prospect of the new stadium being built on the site of the Maze Prison.

Sanchez is grateful there will be a full house. “That is tremendous from my point of view and from the players point of view. You have to give credit to the supporters as they are turning up in numbers.”