Hughes doubtful for play-offs after being ruled out of Irish qualifiers

Aaron Hughes has been ruled out of Northern Ireland’s final two World Cup qualifiers this week, and would be a doubt were they to make the play-offs next month.

The defender has withdrawn from the squad for the games with Germany and Norway due to a calf complaint that forced him off seven minutes into Hearts’ defeat against Dundee at the weekend.

Hughes has 108 caps and is one short of becoming the home nations’ most-capped defender ever. He currently shares the record with Bobby Moore.

Northern Ireland have guaranteed second place in Group C but only eight of the nine group runners-up will be in next month’s play-offs. At 37, that could conceivably mean Hughes has played his final game for his country if Michael O’neill’s side do not make it to Russia and he decides to retire.

Asked if Hughes would be back in time for the play-offs, O’neill replied: “It’s difficult to tell. He certainly would come into the doubtful category I would say.

“It’s a big blow to us with Craig Cathcart injured and Gareth Mcauley just back from his injury.”

Hughes appeared in the past three qualifiers, helping his side to keep a clean sheet each time. He has also featured in both of Northern Ireland’s games against Germany over the past 16 months. Beyond West Brom duo Mcauley and Jonny Evans, O’neill’s only obvious central-defensive options are Tom Flanagan, Adam Thompson and Callum Morris, none of whom have made a competitive appearance for their country.

Mcauley, also 37, has played just 62 minutes of football for West Brom since aggravating a thigh problem against Azerbaijan in June.

O’neill said it was “not ideal” but added: “We need Gareth to play and he’s very positive and eager to play.”