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.

The Northern Ireland boss has already called up Manchester United youngster Jonny Evans as cover but will assess Hughes upon his return to Belfast.

“Aaron split his head in the last few minutes of the game,” Sanchez said.

“He went home yesterday because his wife had a baby girl but he’s coming back today and we’ll assess how he is later this afternoon to see whether he’s available.”

Teenage Burnley striker Kyle Lafferty was one of the few players to come out of Saturday’s debacle with any credit but Sanchez told Sky Sports News he does not want people to get carried away and increase the pressure on the 18-year-old.

“Kyle’s impressed me from what I’ve seen but you’ve got to remember he’s 18-years-old, 19 this week.

“We don’t want to put too much expectation on young lads. Every time there’s a new young lad for Northern Ireland he’s either ‘the new George Best’ or ‘the new Gerry Armstrong’ and it’s a lot of pressure for these kids.

“He’s one that I’m sure if he avoids injury and makes the right career moves will play a lot of games for Northern Ireland.”