Injury-hit NI have 'capable replacements' - McCann

Northern Ireland midfielder Ali McCann said that the depth of the squad is "as good as it has been since I've been here" ahead of Thursday's World Cup play-off semi-final against Italy in Bergamo. NI are aiming to qualify for their first World Cup in 40 years but will be without key figures Conor Bradley and Daniel Ballard, who are both sidelined through injury. However, McCann believes that the side will be able to fill the leadership roles in their absence as they aim to advance to the play-off final against the winner of Wales and Bosnia-Herzegovina's tie.

"It's a big loss for us, but we've known for a while that we're going to be without Conor. We were gutted for him," McCann said. "We've just got to go again.

We've got a really good squad throughout, and I think the depth that we've got is probably as good as it has been since I've been here. "We've got capable replacements all over the pitch. " The sides last met in November 2021 with McCann one of just four players who began the 0-0 draw at Windsor Park.

That result denied Italy automatic World Cup qualification with the four-time champions then losing their play-off semi-final against North Macedonia. "I would say that was probably the best atmosphere I've played in, at Windsor anyway. I remember my dad coming over and he said he was just blown away by it," McCann continued.