Northern Ireland will go five points clear at the top of Group F if they continue their 100% start to Euro 2016 qualifying in Romania on Friday evening.

Michael O'Neill's men have been one of the surprise packages in qualifying so far with a 100% record from their ties against Greece, the Faroe Islands and Hungary.

After three games of the campaign, they lie top of the group but will be leapfrogged by Anghel Iordanescu's Romania if they are beaten in Bucharest.

O'Neill will be without two of his most experienced players because of injury, with captain Steven Davis today ruled out with a hamstring problem, while defender Aaron Hughes is also sidelined.

Jamie Ward, who scored one of the two goals in last month's victory over Greece, is also out with a groin injury.

Manchester United's Paddy McNair is in the senior squad for the first time and could start in Hughes's absence at the back.

Romania will be keen to go top of the group and, like their opponents, are yet to suffer defeat in three games this campaign.

Their one game at home so far was the only game that they've failed to win as Hungary visited the Arena Nationala and left with a point.

The last time these two sides were in a qualifying group together was 30 years ago for the 1986 World Cup - Northern Ireland won both matches on that occasion.

Their last international meeting was in a friendly held in the United States in 2006, which Romania won 2-0.

Recent form

Romania: WDWLWD

Northern Ireland: WWWLLD

Possible starting lineups

Romania: Tatarusanu; Luchin, Chiriches, Grigore, Rat; Hoban, Pintilii; Torje, Chipciu, Tanase; Stancu

Northern Ireland: Carroll; McLaughlin, McAuley, McNair, Cathcart; Evans, McGinn, Baird, Norwood, Brunt; Lafferty

Sports Mole says: 2-0