Filed under: Euro 2012, Football, Match Previews, Team Previews
EURO 2012 QUALIFIER: LE COQ ARENA, TALLINN, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1930BST.Nigel Worthington insists Northern Ireland are down to the 'very bare bones'.
He was referring to the depletion of his squad through injury and suspension, but he might as well have been discussing their hopes of making next summer's finals, which are slim to anorexic depending on your viewpoint.
Worthington's side slipped two places in Group C thanks to a single-goal defeat to Serbia that was all but terminal to their ambitions of qualifying for a first major finals in a quarter of a century.
Anyone not yet in their 30s won't remember the time when the Irish took their place at football's top table with appearances at consecutive World Cups in 1982 and 1986.
Worthington won't yet admit it, but it's time to look ahead again, this time to Brazil, 2014 as they look set for another 'gallant' failure. We've been here before, haven't we? It's deja vu, all over again.
"There's still hope at the end of the tunnel," insisted Lee Camp, who was also no doubt in search of a little light there, too.
Despite the odds being stacked against them, a nevertheless upbeat Nottingham Forest goalkeeper added: "We're still in it and we'll be looking to put things right.
"There's still all to play for. Nobody likes losing at the best of times, but it's not over yet. There's still a chance of us being able to achieve what we want to achieve."
Key match-Up: Sergei Zenjov v Aaron Hughes: The Fulham defender is set to figure in his favoured centre-back role the absence of the suspended Jonny Evans, where he will look to help repel Estonia's lone forward, one who is heavy on international experience, but light on goals.
Form Guide: The Irish have won just one game in five, against the footballing powerhouse that is the Faroe Islands. Estonia's win in Slovenia last week was their first victory in six games.
Match Odds: Estonia 13/8, Northern Ireland 15/8/ Draw 23/10
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