George McCartney misses the friendly against Hungary

Defenders Aaron Hughes, Gareth McAuley and George McCartney have withdrawn from the Northern Ireland squad to face Hungary in Wednesday night's friendly.

Skipper Hughes has a head injury and McAuley misses the game at Windsor Park after sustaining a hamstring injury in a training session on Friday.

McCartney has missed Sunderland's last three matches because of a foot injury.

With Stephen Craigan also absent, manager Nigel Worthington's defensive options are looking very limited.

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans is among four players back in the panel to face Hungary in a Belfast friendly on 19 November.

Evans was banned for the 4-0 win over San Marino last month while Michael Duff, Chris Brunt and Sammy Clingan are back after injuries.

Derry City winger Niall McGinn gets his first call-up.

Goalkeeper Roy Carroll was left out despite deciding to make himself available again for selection.

The Derby County stopper indicated earlier this summer that he would not travel to games unless he was guaranteed to start.

"Roy rang me to say he would like to be considered for the national team again regardless of whether he plays or not," said Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington.

"I've taken that on board but I've got to stay loyal to Alan Mannus and Jonathan Tuffey, who has travelled round Europe for the last 12 months and worked very hard."

"I'll stick with these two for the game against Hungary."

Motherwell defender Craigan missed the qualifiers against Slovenia and San Marino with a groin injury and he remains sidelined for the Windsor Park game.

Northern Ireland claimed a first win in the World Cup qualifiers with victory over minnows San Marino in Belfast.

It leaves Nigel Worthington's side fourth in Group Three and five points behind leaders Slovakia.

Hungary have made an impressive start to their qualifying campaign and are level on points with Group One pacesetters Denmark.

Northern Ireland squad:

Goalkeepers: M Taylor (Birmingham City), A Mannus (Linfield), J Tuffey (Partick Thistle).

Defenders: C Baird (Fulham), J Evans (Manchester United), M Duff (Burnley), R McGivern (Manchester City - on loan at Morecambe)

Midfielders: S Davis (Rangers), K Gillespie (Sheffield United), M O'Connor (Crewe Alexandra), S Clingan (Norwich City), C Brunt (West Bromwich Albion), D Shiels (Hibernian), N McGinn (Derry City), G McCann (Scunthorpe United)

Forwards: D Healy (Sunderland), P Thompson (Stockport County), W Feeney (Cardiff City - on loan at Dundee United), M Paterson (Burnley), K Lafferty (Rangers).

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