Skipper Gareth McAuley will miss training today due to the tight hamstring he sustained in last night's Northern Ireland victory over San Marino. Alex Bruce and Veliche Shumulikoski also miss today's session having returned from duty with the Republic of Ireland and Macedonia.

McAuley's hamstring problem will be assessed on Friday before a decision is made on whether the central defender is fit enough to face Swansea City on Saturday. The former Leicester City man, who was winning his 13th full cap, felt the problem just before the hour mark and was replaced as a precaution.

The 28-year-old is likely to be replaced by Pim Balkestein if he is ruled out, the Dutchman having recovered from his groin injury.

Bruce suffered an abductor strain in the Republic of Ireland challenge match against Nottingham Forest last week and sat out training while with Giovanni Trapattoni's squad and Wednesday's victory over Cyprus. The 24-year-old is expected to be fit enough to play on Saturday if required, although a place on the bench seems most likely.

Shumulikoski is rested after playing the full 90 minutes for Macedonia in their defeat to Iceland.

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