Maik Taylor will lead Northern Ireland in the Belfast friendly

Maik Taylor will deputise for Aaron Hughes as Northern Ireland captain in Wednesday night's friendly against Hungary at Windsor Park.

The Birmingham City goalkeeper gets the job because Fulham defender Hughes is absent with a head injury.

Taylor captained his county for the first time against Estonia in 2004.

Meanwhile, Rangers pair Kyle Lafferty and Steve Davis will join up with the squad on Monday night after missing training earlier in the day.

Gareth McAuley and George McCartney joined Hughes in withdrawing from the Northern Ireland squad.

Ipswich Town defender McAuley misses the game after sustaining a hamstring injury in a training session on Friday while McCartney has been sidelined for 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.

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.

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