Josh Magennis looks likely to join Corry Evans and Aaron Hughes in missing Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Norway on Sunday. Charlton's Magennis, 27, is said to be "extremely doubtful" because of a hamstring problem while Evans (groin) and Hughes (calf) are ruled out. Magennis' injury and Kyle Lafferty's ongoing struggles at Norwich may lead to Conor Washington starting in attack. QPR striker Washington, 24, has scored in both his starts at Windsor Park. Five-cap Washington is being tipped to partner Nottingham Forest striker Jamie Ward in attack. Lafferty has scored three goals already in this qualification campaign, which is more than the number of starts he has accrued for Championship side Norwich this season. "His overall fitness is very good, in terms of match fitness that's a different thing," said Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill.

"It will be a factor in terms of the decision that I make but the thing about Kyle is however long we play him for, we know we will get something from him. He is still very, very important to us." Watford defender Craig Cathcart's return to fitness after missing the opening four qualifiers because of a groin injury means he is pushing for a return to Michael O'Neill's side. West Brom veteran Gareth McAuley is certain to start in defence and netting his 10th international goal would move the 37-year-old above George Best in the Northern Ireland goalscoring charts. Norway are without four of the players who started their most recent game against the Czech Republic in November.

Midfielders Alexander Tettey and Per Ciljan Skjelbred have both called time on their international careers while Palermo defender Haitam Aleesami is suspended and Brighton centre-back Vegard Forren injured. It is the Scandinavians' first match since the appointment of former Iceland boss Lars Lagerback as manager. Northern Ireland are on course to clinch second place in the their group and a play-off for a place at the 2018 World Cup finals. Michael O'Neill's men are currently second in Group C, five points behind Germany who have a maximum 12. Victory over the Scandinavians in Belfast would move Northern Ireland to 10 points at the halfway stage and O'Neill sees that figure as a magic marker for his squad's attitude to reaching Russia in 2018. "Once you get to double figures, then suddenly your mindset changes a little bit and you start to think about qualification as possibly a more realistic proposition at that time," he said.

The challenge posed by Norway appears more difficult than it did a few weeks ago, before the experienced Lagerback took charge. Lagerback has previously guided Sweden to five successive major tournaments and led Iceland to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals after a shock win over England. "I don't think the game will be decided because of anything tactical," added O'Neill. "I think it will be a very British game and decided by who on the day maybe wants it more."