sport

SPORTS SCIENCE WORTHY CAUSE FOR NIGEL

Worthington - hoping to get off to a good start.

Nigel Worthington is placing his faith in the appliance of science as Northern Ireland prepare to face Slovakia in their first World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

With the temperature expected to soar to 30 degrees, it will be a severe physical challenge for the players.

However Worthington has taken steps to make sure they will be in the best possible shape, despite the searing humidity.

The squad can now call on the services of Northern Ireland sports scientist Jonathan Bloomfield - and he will have a key role to play in the opening game.

Worthington said: "He makes sure the food is right and that the players are hydrated. They are tested on a daily basis.

"He also keeps an eye on their general fitness. It is important we have the right people in the right places to give ourselves every chance.

"We have to be ultra-professional and do the job right. We want to do the best for the players so they can do their best for Northern Ireland.

"I am delighted we came here on Wednesday. If we had arrived today with this heat I think we could have been hit for six.

"But we now know what the conditions are like and we have worked accordingly. It is going to be hot but it is about the desire to make things happen."

The province will again be looking to David Healy to supply the goals and Worthington believes the striker is again in the mood to terrorise defences.

Healy, who scored a record 13 goals in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, missed a penalty in the draw against Scotland in a friendly last month.

However he was unsettled at the time as he waited to clinch a move from Fulham to Sunderland.

Worthington expects Healy to be fired up against the Slovakians. He is likely to be the lone striker with Chris Baird employed in a holding role in a five-man midfield.

"There were things in David's head in and around the Scotland game " said the Northern Ireland boss.

"The Fulham situation had to be tidied up and the medical had to be done at Sunderland. That is always going to affect a players thinking and his decision-making.

"But not just David moved on, so too did Steve Davis and George McCartney.

"All those distractions are now out of the way and they can focus on this game. It is good for me and good for them.

"I would imagine David would be chasing something similar to his previous record. He has set himself a hell of a target.

"It is something he enjoys doing, scoring goals, especially for his country. Lets hope he can get off the mark tomorrow."

Northern Ireland finished third in the Euro qualifying campaign but Healy is determined to end the drought and make the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The province are aiming to end over 20 years of hurt as their last appearance in a major tournament was the World Cup in 1986 when Worthington was part of the squad.

Healy told Setanta Sports News: "The group we are in this time has no Spain, no Germany and no Italy. There is the belief that we can finally qualify for a major tournament.

"We are not here as a team to finish third or fourth in the group. The players are now ready to play and to cross that white line on Saturday.

"There are 11 players ready to go out and show pride, commitment and everything else every Northern Ireland supporter wants to see."