Nigel Worthington has handed two Irish League stars the opportunity of a lifetime by awarding them their debuts against world champions Italy in Pisa tonight.

A towering challenge awaits Crusaders captain Colin Coates and Coleraine’s flying winger Stephen Carson in the form of a talented Azzuri side.

But Worthington, who will also give senior international debuts to Manchester United’s Corry Evans, brother of Jonny, and Chris Casement, currently searching for a new club, is convinced Coates and Carson have the ability to handle such a huge occasion.

He even believes 23-year-old Coates and Carson, five years his senior, formerly on the books of Rangers and who trained with Italian captain and AC Milan hero Gennaro Gattuso, have what it takes to make the transition from local football to the professional game in England and Scotland.

Fitness instructor Coates is by no means the tallest centre half in the world, but he makes up in heart and aggression for what he lacks in height.

“I’m not bothered by Colin’s lack of height. Chris Perry, who played for Wimbledon, Tottenham and Stoke wasn’t the biggest lad in the world but he was a great defender,” says Worthington.

“The thing about Colin is that he is terrific in the air. He’s a strong, brave boy who has a great leap and a powerful neck on him. He heads the ball rather than what some defenders do waiting for the ball to come off their head.

“When I’ve watched Colin in training and at the Irish Cup he has been excellent.

“The same goes for Stephen. He’s really impressed in the sessions we’ve had out here and really deserves his place in the team. I know he was across the water before and I don’t know the reasons why it didn’t work out for him but even though he is 28 I still think it’s worth a club across the water taking a chance with him.”

Worthington will play a defensive 4-5-1 formation tonight and will be looking to his three central midfielders Michael O’Connor, Corry Evans along with the vastly experienced Grant McCann to provide sufficient cover to new boys at centre back.

Only on the attack will Northern Ireland change to a 4-3-3 style of play with Rangers striker Andy Little and Stephen Carson supporting David Healy up front.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has selected an experimental team although veterans Grosso, Gattuso and Dossena will be there to help the eight new caps.

“I’m not interested in Italy, I have enough to think about with my team. That’s all that concerns me at the minute. I will not be losing a second of sleep thinking what Italy may do or not do," concedes Worthington.

“We need to make sure we keep our shape, composure and discipline — I’m certainly not thinking this is going to be a damage limitation exercise.

“We’re going to be set up in such a manner that we will attempt to keep it tight, hopefully get our fair share of position and then we will make sure we use the ball well.

“We’ll try to give it our best shot and then see what happens. The most important thing for me is to see how my young players perform at this level.

“The attitude in the training sessions has been very good, I’m happy with how they’ve been going so far.

“In particular it’s been pleasing to see how encouraging Damien Johnson, David Healy and Grant McCann have been with the younger boys. It’s been first class.”

Worthington is naturally fully

focussed on this match but he will be forgiven for thinking a little about San Marino’s trip to Slovakia in the World Cup qualifying.

Victory for the Slovaks would enable them to leapfrog Northern Ireland at the top of Group Three.

But a victory, or even a draw, for minnows San Marino would keep Worthington’s men leaders in pole position.

Now, wouldn’t that be the greatest result of the night, no matter what happens in Tuscany.