08/10/2002

McIlroy to direct team affairs by mobile phone

Northern Ireland manager Sammy McIlroy has confirmed that he will direct team affairs by mobile phone during Saturday's opening Euro 2004 qualifier against Spain in Albacete.

McIlroy, and his assistant Jim Harvey, who is remaining with his English club side during the international weekend, are banned from the touchline and changing room prior to, and during the game.

Both were banned for one game after an incident during the last World Cup qualifier against Malta.

Former Northern Ireland captain Alan McDonald will be the man to relay McIlroy's decisions during the game. McDonald will also give the team talk in the dressing room before the game.

Meanwhile, McIlroy received just one piece of bad news over the weekend after Wimbledon defender Mark Williams pulled out of the squad through a knee injury.

Williams, who captained the side in a friendly against Cyprus in August, will be replaced by West Ham's Grant McCann, who is currently on-loan at Cheltenham.

On a more positive note for the Northern Ireland manager, Spain have injury doubts over superstar striker pairing Raul and Morientes.

(MB)

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