Donley suspended for Hungary decider as O'Neill expects touchline absence

Northern Ireland will be without striker Jamie Donley for their Nations League decider in Hungary after he was booked during Saturday's 1-0 victory over Ukraine. Manager Michael O'Neill also received a yellow card and said he expected to watch the Budapest match from the stands, BBC Sport reported.

Watch the highlights:

Donley's caution followed his protests when referee Francois Letexier allowed play to continue while Trai Hume was bleeding from a head wound. O'Neill criticised the booking and said losing the forward would hurt his team after a strong performance. The manager's own caution came in response to his reaction to the officiating, although he said he could still influence proceedings from the stands.

Tuesday's match will decide whether Northern Ireland secure their first promotion to League A. A draw would be enough, while a promotion play-off is already guaranteed. Hungary's victory in Georgia earlier on Saturday had increased the pressure before Northern Ireland responded with a win that restored them to the top of the group.

BBC's match report described how Donley had appeared to give the hosts the lead in the 23rd minute at Windsor Park. He finished after an Isaac Price effort deflected off Ethan Galbraith into his path, but a video review ruled the goal out for offside. Anatoliy Trubin subsequently made saves from Donley and Shea Charles.

The breakthrough came in the 68th minute when Terry Devlin curled a shot from 25 yards after Northern Ireland worked a short corner across the edge of the penalty area. Ukraine threatened a late equaliser when Olexiy Kashchuk reached space behind the defence and supplied Danylo Sikan, but Pierce Charles blocked Sikan's effort with his feet in the 90th minute.

Northern Ireland protected the lead despite already being without injured defenders Daniel Ballard and Conor Bradley. They had drawn their previous two home group matches 0-0. This time, Devlin's finish and Charles's late intervention secured the victory, leaving the side to prepare for the final fixture with another enforced change in attack.