Healy misses Azerbaijan trip

David Healy will miss Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan on October 9 as he serves a one-match ban.

The Irish Football Association have no right of appeal after confirmation he picked up two yellow cards in the stormy 2-2 draw against Wales in midweek.

The Preston striker was yellow carded by Domenico Messina for kicking the corner flag and then gesturing to the crowd after scoring.

Healy will now miss the match in Baku after 38 successive appearances for Northern Ireland.

Messina, who also sent off Healy’s team-mate Michael Hughes, has received abusive messages on his website since the game at the Millenium Stadium.

He also dismissed Wales’ Robbie Savage for his part in the incident with Hughes and the official’s performance was widely criticised.