Sanchez to test youngsters
Lawrie Sanchez is ready to give some of his rookies a taste of the high life against Estonia tomorrow.
The Northern Ireland manager wants to see how his inexperienced side will cope in front of a sell-out Windsor Park crowd.
Michael Duff, Ivan Sproule, Chris Brunt and Warren Feeney could all be drafted into the team.
Sanchez said: “The match gives me a chance to look at one or two of the youngsters from the start.
“It will be good to see how they cope. We have a reasonably young squad. It is of a good age. Most of the these players will be involved in the qualifiers for the European Championship for the next two years.”
With only four regular members of the squad sidelined through injury and suspension – Aaron Hughes, Damien Johnson, Roy Carroll and Keith Gillespie - Sanchez believes he has a group committed to the cause long term.
“A lot of people have paid lip service to playing international football and I hope that is over,” said the former Wycombe boss.
"No-one can question the commitment of the players who are missing. We now have a group of players who want nothing more than to do their best for Northern Ireland.
“Sometimes friendlies are the hardest to turn up for. But during the latter part of my time here, the players’ attitude has been first class.
“When you are down to people, who want to be here, you can often get results in that situation.”
Windsor Park will be packed to the rafters although there is talk of some fans staging a protest at the prospect of the new stadium being built on the site of the Maze Prison.
Sanchez is keen to lead his team to the double over Estonia.
He secured his first win as the province’s manager when they defeated the Baltic nation thanks to David Healy’s spectacular winner in 2004.
Estonia lie 77th in the world rankings, 25 places above Northern Ireland and Sanchez is grateful there will be a full house.
He said: “That is tremendous from my point of view and from the players point of view. You have to give credit to the supporters as they are turning up in numbers. There is still the feelgood factor around the squad and we want that to continue.
“Estonia, though, are better than us and have been the last two years. We are getting close to them and they have to be taken seriously or else will get beaten.”
Leeds striker Healy is scheduled to have his first training session tomorrow morning and that will determine what role he will play in the game.
Healy, the province’s record scorer, missed the earlier sessions to protect a nagging Achilles injury.
