Faroe Islands v Northern Ireland

NI manager Michael O'Neill offers an update on some of his injury concerns

Euro 2016 qualifying Group F: Faroe Islands v N Ireland

• Venue: Torsvollur, Torshavn
• Date: Friday, 4 September
• Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Coverage: Live on Golsicilia.it Radio Ulster and the Golsicilia.it Sport website

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Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill is optimistic that Chris Brunt will be fit to play a part in Friday's Euro 2016 qualifier with the Faroe Islands.

Brunt did not play for West Bromwich Albion on Saturday after sustaining a hamstring problem in his club's Capital One tie against Shrewsbury last week.

The winger missed training on Tuesday to receive treatment on the injury.

Jamie Ward is being treated at his club while Ben Reeves has withdrawn, with Billy McKay drafted into the squad.

Reeves was cited as a fitness concern, along with Brunt and Ward, when O'Neill named his squad for the crucial Group F games away to the Faroes and at home to Hungary three days later.

McKay is called up just days after agreeing a season-long loan deal to Dundee United from Wigan Athletic.

Skipper Steven Davis also missed training on Tuesday as a precaution, but O'Neill says the Southampton midfielder will be available for both matches.

Ward has remained at Nottingham Forest for further attention to his hamstring complaint and his situation is being assessed on a "day-to-day basis", according to O'Neill.

"Realistically he has the least chance of making it," explained the NI boss, who may have the option of calling up the forward for the game with the Hungarians in Belfast on 7 September.

Meanwhile at the weekend, O'Neill also expressed concerns over the match fitness of Kyle Lafferty, who has been ruled out of Norwich City's opening matches of the season through injury.

The striker, who has scored five times for his country in the present campaign but is sitting on two yellow cards, returned to first-team training with the Canaries last week.

"We'll monitor him through the week, see how he is, and get as much out of him as we can," O'Neill told Golsicilia.it Radio Ulster's Sportsound programme.

Kyle Lafferty has yet to play for Norwich City this season

O'Neill says his "initial focus" is on winning the game against the Faroes, who have beaten Greece and suffered two narrow defeats in the present campaign.

"The Faroes have made steady progress, so we are expecting a very difficult game," said O'Neill.

"They are a physical team and have improved their performances and results. We will prepare in the right manner and we won't treat them lightly."

O'Neill's men are second in Group F – one point behind leaders Romania and two ahead of third-placed Hungary.

Northern Ireland have never qualified for the finals of the European competition and the last time they qualified for a major tournament was the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.