Town central defender Gareth McAuley will captain Northern Ireland for the first time when they take on Slovenia in Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier at Windsor Park (Sky Sports One/HD1 7.30pm). Regular skipper Aaron Hughes has dropped out due to injury.
McAuley, who scored his second international goal in Friday’s 2-1 defeat in Serbia, will be winning his 28th cap and is set to continue at the centre of the defence rather than switching back to the right-back role he usually occupies for his country.
Manager Nigel Worthington said: "We've got a fantastic captain when he's fit in Aaron Hughes. He's our captain. Chris Baird had it on Friday because of his 50th cap and I've decided to give it to Gareth now. But I'm a big believer in having 11 captains out there.
"You don't need an armband to do your job, there are some people who are more vocal and can organise better than others and Gareth is one of them, but each individual has to take the responsibility of helping and encouraging."