NI forward Jamie Ward is major injury doubt for Romania match

Jamie Ward has been in good goalscoring form for Derby County

Derby County forward Jamie Ward is a major injury doubt for Northern Ireland's Euro 2016 qualifier against Romania in Bucharest on 14 November.

Ward is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks after suffering a thigh strain during his club's 3-0 win at Reading on Saturday.

The striker played in both of his country's recent wins, at home to the Faroe Islands and away to Greece.

The 28-year-old has won 13 caps and has scored two international goals to date.

Ward scored the first goal in his side's 2-0 victory over Greece last week, with the aid of a deflection from a home defender.

Three days earlier, Michael O'Neill's side saw off the Faroes by the same score-line at Windsor Park.

Northern Ireland lie top of qualifying Group F with three wins from three matches as they seek to reach a major finals for the first time since competing at the World Cup in Mexico in 1986.

Romania are their nearest challengers, with two wins and a draw from their opening three fixtures.

Ward has also been in good form at club level, scoring five goals in 12 Championship appearances for the Rams.