Evans ruled out for Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington has suffered a blow in the hours leading up to this Euro 2012 qualifier against Slovenia with Jonny Evans ruled out because of a groin injury.

With Evans absent, his former Old Trafford team-mate Craig Cathcart of Blackpool was handed a debut facing the surprise World Cup qualifier.

Worthington opted to go with record scorer David Healy and Warren Feeney up front in an attempt to end a run of seven matches without a goal. Kyle Lafferty was on the bench as was 17-year-old schoolboy Johnny Gorman.

Northern Ireland lost 2-0 to Slovenia two years ago on the way to the hosts booking a place in South Africa.