Sanchez to assess Hughes

Lawrie Sanchez will assess the fitness of Northern Ireland captain Aaron Hughes before deciding whether the Aston Villa defender will be available for Wednesday’s daunting visit of Spain.

Sanchez’s side host Spain just days after a 3-0 humbling by Iceland in their opening Euro 2008 qualifier at Windsor Park and could be without Hughes after the defender required stitches for a head injury on Saturday before heading home for the birth of his daughter.