Michael O'Neill praises Liam Boyce after winning goal against New Zealand

Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill saw Liam Boyce go from last summer's odd man out to this June's headline act, but confirmed defender Craig Cathcart will miss next week's World Cup qualifier in Azerbaijan.

Twelve months ago Boyce was watching the start of Euro 2016, his country's first major tournament in 30 years, from a maternity ward while his daughter Scout was being born, having been omitted from O'Neill's squad in favour or Wigan's Will Grigg.