Sunderland defender George McCartney is doubtful for Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic at Windsor Park on Wednesday but manager Nigel Worthington got better news today on winger Keith Gillsepie.

McCartney could miss out after suffering a hamstring injury in the defeat by Slovakia on Saturday.

However, experienced winger Keith Gillespie is on the mend after being troubled by an ankle problem in Bratislava.

The Northerners will be looking for an improved performance in front of their home fans after a less-than-impressive display at the weekend.

Defender Chris Baird admitted the team were deflated after allowing Martin Skrtel and Marek Hamsik score from set-pieces the 2-1 defeat.

An own goal nine minutes by Jan Durica proved to be a consolation though last-gasp saves from McCartney and Warren Feeney could have salvaged a precious point. Baird also believes he was a stonewall penalty.

"We are gutted at the result in Slovakia. We don't think we played at our best and could have done a lot more. We made it hard for ourselves," the Fulham fullback-cum-centre-back said.

However he took confidence from the North's Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, noting that the team got their campaign off to a bad start but improved.

Baird said: "We are not giving up on it that easily. Two years ago it was the same.

"We lost to Iceland then beat Spain so we'll be hoping to do something similar to get us up and running.

"We have a proud home record, which gives us a good chance, although we have to up our game."