MCNAIR'S RULED OUT

PADDY McNair has been ruled out of Northern Ireland's friendlies against Denmark and Iceland with a groin injury.

- By IAN PARKER

The 30-year-old, capped 75 times, took part in a training camp in Marbella earlier this week but did not travel to Copenhagen for Saturday's game against Denmark, and returned to San Diego FC.

Michael O'Neill was already working with a very young squad - 12 of the now 25 players remaining are aged 21 or under - and McNair's withdrawal has cost the manager his most experienced player for the final phase of preparations for their World Cup qualifying campaign.

"(Alongside) George (Saville), he's our most senior player, he's our most capped player in this group of players," O'Neill said.