Israelis strike it lucky as Healy is a doubt

Israel coach Dror Kastan (left) and Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun answer questions at a press conference in Belfast before tonight's friendly against Northern Ireland

12 August 2009

Yossi Benayoun is hoping that Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington does take the bold step of leaving record goalscorer David Healy on the bench tonight.

The Israel captain will be happy to face a Northern Ireland side without its talisman as his own team is missing their own golden-boy in Espanyol hitman Ben Sahar.

Last night Israeli sources were denying that Sahar had been struck by swine flu, instead claiming it was the more run of the mill version of the virus.

Healy, however, is fully fit and available for Worthington, but it looks like he will start the game on the bench for only the second time in his 74-cap international career.

“I am sure that it will make our chances of winning the game better (if Healy doesn’t play),” said Benayoun.

“David Healy is a very good player and has proved himself as the top goalscorer for his national team.

“He’s a great player, but with it being a friendly they may try other things.

“If someone else plays they will be good too because Northern Ireland have many good players.”