EURO 2016 QUALIFIERS: Oliver Norwood ready to deliver Euro glory for Northern Ireland

Oliver Norwood is confident Northern Ireland can complete their Euro 2016 qualifying mission on Thursday night.
Northern Ireland midfielder Oliver NorwoodNorthern Ireland midfielder Oliver Norwood
Northern Ireland midfielder Oliver Norwood

Michael O’Neill’s side go into a crunch clash with Greece at Windsor Park minus a number of key personnel.

Striking talisman Kyle Lafferty is suspended, along with midfielder Chris Baird and defender Conor McLaughlin.

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Influential defender Jonny Evans is also rated extremely doubtful with a hamstring injury, while O’Neill is confident Gareth McAuley will be fit following a calf problem.

Reading midfielder Norwood believes Northern Ireland’s squad can cope with the absences – and book their place in France next summer.

“That’s why you have a squad of 23. Throughout this campaign this has been a squad effort,” he said.

“It has not just been about the players who start the match. We have substitutes who have come on and made a big impact and other players, who when called upon, have delivered big performances.

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“There is a real togetherness amongst all the players and we know that everyone is important.

“We have got some really good players in the squad who have been unfortunate not to play more in the campaign, but now there will be an opportunity for some of them to come in.

“We have more than enough to win this game and seal our qualification for the Euro finals.”

* Bradford City defender Rory McArdle has been drafted into the Northern Ireland squad.