Gareth McAuley could replace Jonny Evans in the centre

Northern Ireland defender Gareth McAuley says the absence of Jonny Evans is a big blow ahead of Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against San Marino.

The Manchester United defender misses the game through suspension after being booked in Slovenia on Saturday night.

"Jonny has played very well in the last few games and has really been knocking on the door at Manchester United so he will be a big miss," said McAuley.

"I don't know whether I will move to centre-back or stay at right-back."

McAuley added that a win against San Marino was vital to maintain any hopes of World Cup qualification.

"We have only one point on the board from three matches but with a bit of luck things could have been a lot different. We certainly need the points.

"We will be hoping for an early goal to settle ourselves down, get the crowd right behind us and given a more relaxed atmosphere, we should go on to beat them.

"The lack of goals is not concerning us as we have been creating chances but we just didn't take them in Slovenia.

"David (Healy) or Kyle (Lafferty) will chip in with one eventually or some of the rest of us will get on the end of a setpiece.

"If we had kept it at 1-0 in Slovenia then we would have had six or seven minutes to equalise but we lost our heads a wee bit and they got a second."

The Ipswich Town skipper confirmed newspaper reports that some missiles had been thrown towards the playing area during the game but said it was "not something I was really aware of while I was playing".

"A few things landed at the side of the pitch, maybe a golf ball, and I think Maik (Taylor) may have been hit by a lighter but I didn't take much notice.

"It was a pretty hostile atmosphere but only what you would expect from a tight ground and a full house.

"We know that we will get the usual great support at Windsor Park."