Northern Ireland have been dealt a blow ahead of their World Cup qualifier in Lithuania after Stuart Dallas pulled out for personal reasons.
The Leeds United star was left behind in Belfast when Ian Baraclough’s side travelled to Vilnius for the Group C tie.
Baraclough’s preparations suffered another setback after it emerged new coach Adam Sadler has also been forced to withdraw following the death of his father.
Leicester coach Sadler was appointed last week to replace Austin MacPhee whose switch to Scotland 11 days ago was unexpected according to Baraclough.
Lithuania have problems of their own with new coach Valdas Ivanauskas set to miss the match after testing positive for Covid.
Baraclough admits his team need to win on Thursday to stay in touch with Italy and Switzerland at the top of the group following a goalless draw at home to Bulgaria in March.
But Baraclough also knows a victory could set up next week’s clash with the Swiss in Belfast, and give his team an opportunity to go second ahead of the next international break.
Maglie Calcio Poco Prezzo
He is the club’s longest-serving captain in history, having worn the armband for 12 years, making 504 appearances for the club.
While many of the matches are memories to savour, his final game against the Red Devils is one he likely tries to forget after he was sent off within seconds of coming on as a substitute — not the way he would have wanted to bow out from a rivalry in which he had made history like no other player.
Many noted that considering Gerrard’s status and remarkable collection of individual awards — including his recent induction into the Premier League Hall of Fame — it was a bizarre claim.
Yet, barely 24 hours later, and having offered his resignation as captain for his conduct, he performed a U-turn and signed a new deal.
Ms Balding asked him how he felt about the money-spinning offers and what went through his mind as a boyhood supporter of the club.
Ultimately, Gerrard stayed at Anfield until 2015. His final appearance for the club was in a 6-1 defeat at Stoke, with Gerrard scoring Liverpool’s only goal.