It's not Aul over yet

Gareth McAuley is set to kickstart his international career tomorrow with Northern Ireland – just when he thought it was all but over.

The Leicester defender, 27, was so frustrated at being overlooked he considered quitting at the end of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

But now he is set to face group leaders Sweden and win his sixth cap, two years and four months after making his debut, with Chris Baird suspended and Michael Duff injured.

McAuley is determined to grab his chance should it come, after originally being named on the stand-by list.

That, he admitted, was a huge blow given he has been chosen as captain by new Leicester boss Gary Megson.

McAuley also believes he is in the form of his life – his club have conceded only eight goals in nine Coca-Cola Championship matches.

He said: “It has been hard, the last 18 months. I have been in an out of the squad.

“I found myself fifth or sixth choice, which was disappointing. I could not see a future.

“Now I appear to have been given a chance which I was not really expecting and it is up to me now.

“I am confident in my ability because I am playing week in, week out. I am fitter and stronger than I have ever been.

“I would love to be involved against Sweden. If you don’t want to play against the top guys, then you do not want to progress as a player.”

Manager Nigel Worthington has no choice but to make three changes to his back four from the team that lost to Iceland.

In addition to Baird and Duff, Jonny Evans is also out injured, leaving only left-back George McCartney in position.

Aaron Hughes is ready to return as captain after recovering from an ankle ligament injury, and resume his partnership in the centre with Stephen Craigan.

Motherwell’s Craigan was surprisingly dropped in Iceland and Latvia following a string of solid performances.

The province lost both and now face an uphill task against Sweden – Keith Gillespie and Warren Feeney are also absent through injury and suspension.

Hughes, however, remains optimistic of causing an upset.

“We have some strength in depth now, which is healthy,” he said.

“They are a good group of lads who just want to get on with things against Sweden.”