Central defender Gareth McAuley could be forced to miss Northern Ireland’s friendly in Albania on Wednesday due to a groin injury which was hampering him during Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Bristol City. The former skipper thought that Robins keeper Dean Gerken got a touch on Connor Wickham’s late long throw which ended up in the net but was ruled out by referee Nigel Miller.
McAuley told the club site: "The groin is quite sore. It's been niggling away at me and I could feel it through the game. I'll have to speak to the physio and [Northern Ireland manager] Nigel Worthington and see what they say." The 30-year-old says he didn’t touch Wickham’s long throw but felt Gerken may have done: "I didn't touch the ball. I thought the keeper got a nick on it but I had my back to the play."