Gareth McAuley is likely to start for Northern Ireland

Sweden v N Ireland
Stockholm
Wednesday, 17 October
Kick-off: 1930 BST
Coverage on BBCi, BBC Radio 5live, Radio Ulster MW & the BBC Sport website

Gareth McAuley is likely to start in Northern Ireland's Euro 2008 qualifier against Sweden on Wednesday night.

The Leicester player was initially put on standby for the match by boss Nigel Worthington but was included when the final squad was announced last week.

McAuley has said he is considering his international future after a lack of playing oppportunities in recent games.

McAuley, George McCartney, Aaron Hughes and Stephen Craigan are set to make up the back four in Stockholm.

McAuley is the likeliest canididate to fill the right-back vacancy left by the unavailability of Michael Duff and Jonny Evans because of injury and Chris Baird due to suspension.

Tony Capaldi is another option for Worthington in defence but he seems likely to lose out this time.

Ivan Sproule is being tipped to replace the injured Keith Gillespie in the Northern Ireland starting line-up.

Kyle Lafferty is expected to replace suspended Warren Feeney in attack.

Bristol City player Sproule and Burnley's Steve Jones appear to be the players in contention to replace the Sheffield United winger.

However, Sproule is expected to get the nod for the Stockholm clash.

606: DEBATE Give your thoughts on Northern Ireland's game against Sweden on Wednesday

Last week, Worthington drafted in Accrington Stanley defender Sean Webb and Glentoran striker Gary Hamilton as replacements for Evans and Gillespie.

Hamilton won five caps between 2003 and 2004 but has been in the international wilderness over the last three years.

Stephen Robinson also returned to the squad but winger Stuart Elliott was left out.

Luton Town midfielder Robinson made his debut a decade ago and won the last of his six caps in 2005 against Azerbaijan.

Northern Ireland take on Denmark at Windsor Park on 17 November and end the campaign in Spain four days later.

Nigel Worthington's team lie third in Group F, six points behind Sweden and Spain although they have a game in hand on the Spaniards.