Canaries pair miss Greece game

Norwich City duo Phil Mulryne and Paul McVeigh have been forced out of Northern Ireland's final Euro 2004 qualifier against Greece.

Both players picked up injuries in The Canaries' 1-1 draw at fellow Division One promotion hopefuls Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

Mulryne has a calf problem while McVeigh (pictured) has a hamstring strain and the pair will remain at Carrow Road for treatment.

"Unfortunately Phil has picked up a calf injury and Paul a hamstring injury meaning they've had to withdraw from the Northern Ireland squad," said Norwich assistant manager Doug Livermore.

"We will monitor how they respond to treatment over the next few days."

Cheltenham Town midfielder Grant McCann has also pulled out of the qualifying tie after sustaining an ankle knock in his side's win over Yeovil Town at the weekend.

Irish boss Sammy McIlroy has brought in Sunderland's Jeff Whitley and Wrexham defender Shaun Holmes as replacements for the trip to Athens.

McIlroy's troops head into the match against Greece knowing they cannot lift themselves off the foot of the group, after failing to score in all seven qualifiers thus far.