Sunshine break for Northern Ireland players

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington cancelled a scheduled training session this morning in the Gran Canaria sunshine after the gruelling victory against Denmark.

Instead the players were told to rest and recuperate at their luxury base in the south of island.

That stamina-sapping win at rain-lashed Windsor Park leaves Northern Ireland with an outside chance of qualifying for Euro 2008.

However, they have to beat Spain – who have already booked their place – and hope Latvia defeat Sweden for the dream to become a reality.

Keith Gillespie and Jonny Evans will be both sit out the match through suspension but Kyle Lafferty returns after a ban.