Gareth McAuley handed Northern Ireland captain's armband against Romania

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has named Gareth McAuley as stand-in captain for the Euro 2016 qualifier against Romania on Friday.

The West Bromwich Albion defender will lead the team in Bucharest in the absence of regular skipper Steven Davis, who is out with a hamstring injury.

"There were one or two players capable of being captain but I just felt it was fitting [to choose McAuley]," Sky Sports News quotes O'Neill as saying.

"He has natural leadership qualities and the respect of every member of the squad. It's fitting for Gareth to get the chance to captain the team in a game of this stature."

Northern Ireland head into the match at the top of Group F with three wins out of three.