Four make debuts for Italy against Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington handed out four new caps in his starting XI with Chris Casement, Colin Coates, Corry Evans and Stephen Carter all lining up for the first time in a largely inexperienced team to face Italy.

Only captain Damien Johnson, Grant McCann and David Healy have made it into double figures for their national team with Healy making his 74th appearance tonight.

Northern Ireland arrived with 18 fully-fit players and Worthington has not ruled out dishing out five more debuts against an Italy side which was also bereft of its more famous names.

Gennaro Gattuso and Fabio Grosso were the only survivors from the 2006 World Cup final win over France.

Coach Marcelo Lippi also awarded first caps to Inter Milan defender Davide Santon, Udinese midfielder Gaetano D’Agostino, Cagliari goalkeeper Federico Marchetti and Catania forward Giuseppe Mascara.

Italy: Marchetti, Santon, Gamberini, Legrottaglie, Grosso, D’Agostino, Gattuso, Montolivo, Mascara, Pazzini, Rossi.

Subs: De Sanctis, Cassani, Esposito, Dossena, Biagianti, Palombo, Galloppa, Brighi, Foggia, Pellissier.

Northern Ireland: Tuffey, Johnson, Casement, Coates, McGivern, Little, O’Connor, McCann, Evans, Carson, Healy.

Subs: Mannus, Ferguson, McGinn, Garrett, Lawrie, Donnelly, Duffy.

Referee: Kevin Blom (Holland)