Italian job for McAuley

GARETH McAuley will be hoping to do his country proud on Friday night when he is expected to line up to face Italy at Windsor Park.

The Larne man was part of the side which got Northern Ireland's Euro 2012 qualifying campaign off to the perfect start with a 1-0 win over Slovenia in Maribor last month.

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The Ipswich Town defender made his first start for Northern Ireland with a man-of-the-match performance in a friendly against Estonia four years ago. He has since established himself as an integral part of manager Nigel Worthington's back line and will be relishing the prospect of keeping the Italians at bay.