Lafferty decision spot on - Worthington - Sport in brief

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Lafferty indicated on Monday he might be fit to face Slovakia in a World Cup qualifier at Windsor Park on Wednesday, but the Northern Ireland medical staff thought it was too much of a risk - and the player headed back to Ibrox on Tuesday.

Boss Nigel Worthington said: "Kyle has gone back to Glasgow. It would not be right for him to be tested, or Rangers. It would have been unfair on them and ourselves."

He added: "He will have on-going treatment, and we hope he will be fit in a few weeks.

"We have lost Lafferty and (Warren) Feeney at the same time. But I do not think about the ones going out - only the ones coming in."

Worthington looks likely to start against Slovakia with the team that finished in Poland, Martin Paterson partnering David Healy in attack.

Paterson squandered a couple of good chances at the Slaski Stadium - but according to the manager, that is par for the course.

Worthington said: "Martin Paterson does not have to bounce back. Martin can miss as many chances as he wants, as long as works hard for the team.

"If he does that I will always have time for him - and the other bit will come. To go and miss a chance is part and parcel of being a striker."

Chris Brunt and Chris Baird are both available again, after being ruled out against Poland through suspension and injury respectively.