Thursday 3 September 2015 20:55, UK
Michael O'Neill has backed Kyle Lafferty to keep rising to the challenge of being Northern Ireland's talisman despite enduring a frustrating time at club level with Norwich.
The striker will once again spearhead the attack for the Ulstermen when they take on Faroe Islands on Friday evening.
It will be the 27-year-old's first competitive action since June - when he played the full 90 minutes against Romania at Windsor Park - after he recovered from a knee problem to prove his fitness.
Lafferty has been a crucial player for O'Neill in the European Qualifiers, scoring five goals so far to help his country to the verge of progression to the finals in France next summer.
While he is out of the picture at Norwich after spending the second half of last season on loan to Turkish side Rizespor, his value appears to be appreciated more at international level.
O'Neill expects Lafferty to thrive in the spotlight in Torshavn and said: "He's looked fine, he's trained since Monday and he's had no issues. He's completed every session that we've done.
"He's in good form and he's upbeat. He's really keen to play. He's had a frustrating time at Norwich - not only since pre-season.
"He's had a frustrating time the second half of last season as well when he had to go out on loan. He's keen, he knows the significance of these games.
"He's keen to add to the five goals he's had in the tournament to date. He likes the fact that he's up there with the top goalscorers in Europe.
"He's enjoying that, he's reminded me of that on several occasions! We know what he'll give to the team. We know he'll give a tremendous work-rate and effort up front, regardless of if he doesn't score.
"How long he'll last or how fit he'll be remains to be seen. Certainly we know we'll get every last drop out of him."
Chris Brunt is fit as Northern Ireland look to open a five-point gap over Hungary ahead of their clash with them on Monday in Belfast.
The Faroese defeated 2004 European champions Greece home and away and O'Neill doesn't want his players to lose focus with that in mind.
He added: "I don't feel any added pressure than already exists. We've won twice away from home already in the group. We believe it will be as difficult to win here as it was in Greece, in Hungary.
"I get the feeling as we approach game seven leading into the final phase of the campaign the players are really focused on what's required to get over the line.
"We'll make sure we'll do what's required throughout the remaining three games. The target is qualification."
