Gareth McAuley is set to make a rare start at the centre of the Northern Ireland defence tonight when Nigel Worthington’s men take on Serbia in a Euro 2012 qualifier in Belgrade (Sky Sports One/HD1 7pm). The Blues defender normally plays at right-back for his national side.

McAuley, who has previously won 26 full caps and has scored one international goal, will partner Aaron Hughes, who he first played alongside for Lisburn Youth when the two were growing up.

The match is being played behind closed doors as a punishment for the abandonment of Serbia’s game with Italy due to crowd trouble.

Hungarian duo Tamás Priskin, who joined Swansea on loan yesterday, and Márton Fülöp are in the squad for their country’s Euro 2012 qualifying group double-header against Holland with the first game in Budapest tonight. The sides meet again in Amsterdam on Tuesday.

Fülöp has previously won 22 full caps, while Priskin has played for his country 30 times and has scored eight goals.

Tommy Smith has been named in the New Zealand starting line-up for their friendly in China later today. Smith, who is currently on loan at Colchester, has previously won eight full caps.

Blues midfielder Conor Hourihane has been added to the Republic of Ireland U21 squad playing a friendly in Portugal this evening with Shane O’Connor, Ian McLoughlin and Ronan Murray all already in the travelling party.

Hourihane has previously won four U21 caps and McLoughlin one, while O’Connor and Murray will make their debuts if involved today.

Meanwhile, loan defender Darren O'Dea is to start for the Republic of Ireland in Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia in Dublin (Sky Sports One/HD1 7.15pm). The Celtic man will be winning his fifth cap.

Photo: Action Images

broomfield123 added 10:20 - Mar 25 Even i could get into the NI team.
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mo_itfc added 10:23 - Mar 25 maybe put him as right back for ips??
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suffolkpoker added 10:25 - Mar 25 McAuley is no right back in the modern game. A solid centre back though
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Ipswich24 added 10:37 - Mar 25 MO-ITFC WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT HE IS BEST CENTRE HALF IN LEAGUE
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pennblue added 11:05 - Mar 25 Martin Taylor of Watford is the best centre half in the Championship. FACT.
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Barhamblue added 12:41 - Mar 25 Supply me the facts Pennblue?
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itfc1981 added 13:26 - Mar 25 Nigel Worthington as quick as ever then!
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TimmyH added 14:02 - Mar 25 watch him get injured and out for the rest of the season
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JoshTheLad added 18:30 - Mar 25 TimmyH - I can actually see that happening!
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das_bones added 19:04 - Mar 25 Its gona b cr*p with no town game tomz!!!
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