Instead, Sanchez wants the player to concentrate fully on tomorrow’s friendly against Norway.

The decision to keep a tight rein on Smith indicates he is likely to feature at some stage in the game – and so too are Phil Mulryne and Paul McVeigh, of promotion-chasing Norwich, although their manager Nigel Worthington has stressed he wants the pair playing 45 minutes at most.

Sanchez showed he is happy to compromise this time when he stated: “I will be sensible.”

But the former Wycombe boss added: “It is up to me how I use the players.”

He has made it clear he wants players with attitude in his squad.

“Its important that all players are committed, “ he told BBC Online.

“I will look unfavourably at people that can’t be bothered to turn up for friendlies.”

Sanchez has handed the captain’s armband to Newcastle defender Aaron Hughes.

He has lost two of his 24-man squad as he prepares to make his bow at international level.

Hibernian defender Colin Murdock and Willem II striker James Quinn have withdrawn because of knee and back injuries respectively.

They returned home after being examined by Northern Ireland’s medical team.

The squad will have two sessions today behind close doors as they step up their preparations for the match at Windsor Park.

Northern Ireland are hoping to mark Sanchez’s debut with at least a goal - having failed to score for the past 1242 minutes.