Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington believes it was right and proper that striker Kyle Lafferty returned to Rangers for treatment on his knee injury.

Lafferty indicated on Monday that he might be fit to face Slovakia in a World Cup qualifier at Windsor Park on Wednesday night.

However, the Northern Ireland medical staff thought it was too much of a risk - and the player headed back to Ibrox on Tuesday.

It is a blow for Lafferty, who made the breakthrough in the 1-1 draw against Poland at the weekend.

With Warren Feeney also out injured, manager Nigel Worthington is short on his options up front.

Worthington said: "We have lost Lafferty and Feeney at the same time. But I do not think about the ones going out - only the ones coming in.

"Kyle has gone back to Glasgow. It would not be right for him to be tested, or Rangers. It would have been unfair on them and ourselves.

"He will have on-going treatment, and we hope he will be fit in a few weeks."

Worthington looks likely to start against Slovakia with the team that finished in Poland, Martin Paterson partnering David Healy in attack.

Paterson squandered a couple of good chances at the Slaski Stadium - but according to the manager, that is par for the course.

Worthington said: "Martin Paterson does not have to bounce back. Martin can miss as many chances as he wants, as long as works hard for the team.

"If he does that I will always have time for him - and the other bit will come. To go and miss a chance is part and parcel of being a striker."

Chris Brunt and Chris Baird are both available again, after being ruled out against Poland through suspension and injury respectively.

Worthington believes being loud and proud is spurring the province towards a World Cup berth in South Africa.

Capacity at Windsor Park is restricted because of safety issues but Worthington insists they are using this to their advantage.

He said: "You go to some clubs in England and there might be 60,000 in and you hear some people say there is not enough noise. We have the opposite effect.

"We have 13,500 in and it is worth 80,000. They are worth their weight in gold to us as always. They are our 12th man. We always have on-days at Windsor.

"It is just a fantastic occasion and something very special for the home side.

"For the away side it can be very intimidating and hostile. That's what we are looking for.

"I am looking forward to another great night. The crowd will be up for it.

"If the team and supporters are as one, we can become even stronger. I had that as a player and it was a fantastic experience. We have got that now, which is very special to all of us."

Such is the Windsor effect, Northern Ireland have won five competitive games and drawn the other since Worthington took charge.

It is a formidable record and one the former Norwich boss is keen to extend before Northern Ireland travel to the Czech Republic for their final qualifier next month.

Worthington added: "Obviously I would like to keep the run going. We had a disappointing result in Slovakia, so we owe them one.

"They have done very well and I have every respect for them. However we are focused on ourselves and how we go about our job.

"Our players are fit, ready and in good shape. We are looking forward to the challenge, we are in a wonderful position with everything to play for.

"We can set the whole of Northern Ireland alight with a great result. "

While Worthington wants his players to put in a shift during training, there is also a lighter side to the sessions.

He said: "We have some competitive games in training, young versus old. It is all good fun. I always train with fun.

"It is important. There is a work period and a fun period. The players usually walk off the field with a smile on their face. It is vital for our preparation."

Northern Ireland's startling progress has won fans across the globe and Worthington added: "We've had many texts, faxes and phone messages, which is fantastic.

"I think we do capture people's imagination because we are not the biggest nation but we give our all. That is very important to me."