Hughes seeks position of strength

It may not be Galatasaray but in calling for Northern Ireland fans to pack Windsor Park early and loudly tonight for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Slovenia, the Irish Football Association has recognised that the clichéd 12th man can still make a difference even in a patched-up stadium that holds only 14,000.

Disadvantaged by its size, Northern Ireland needs all the edge it can get and as England, Spain, Sweden, Denmark and, on Saturday, Poland, have discovered, the Belfast atmosphere can inspire players from Scunthorpe United, Norwich City and various reserve teams to unforeseen victories.

Slovenia scarcely compare in terms of the teams above who been beaten at Windsor Park in the past four years, but tonight's match is potentially as important as any of those. Win and Northern Ireland will be looking at the prospect of reaching a first World Cup finals for 24 years.

In a group without a dominating presence – the Czech Republic are not what they were a decade ago – the Irish sense that they can be first among equals.

Captain Aaron Hughes, having an outstanding season with Fulham, is about as far from gung-ho as it is possible to be. But even Hughes can feel what might be. After the 3-2 victory over Poland on Saturday, Northern Ireland are top of Group Three and Hughes said of Slovenia: "If we can complete the double header with another win that will be great. That will see us in a really strong position in the group.

"I do not think there is anything to fear in the group. There has not been a team that has steamrollered us. We know we have two difficult away games against Poland and the Czech Republic but anything can happen."

Nigel Worthington, the Northern Ireland manager, looks to have avoided a big decision with regard to Manchester United's Jonny Evans. With Sunderland's George McCartney back from suspension and expecting to play at left back, Evans, who played there against Poland, may have made way. But an injury to Stephen Craigan appears set to rule out the Motherwell defender. That means Evans should partner Hughes.

Northern Ireland (probable, 4-4-2): Taylor (Birmingham); McAuley (Ipswich), Hughes (Fulham), Evans (Manchester Utd), McCartney (Sunderland); McCann (Scunthorpe), Davis (Rangers), Clingan (Nottingham Forest), Johnson (Birmingham); Healy (Sunderland), Feeney (Dundee Utd).

Slovenia (probable, 4-3-3): S Handanovic (Udinese); Mavric (Koblenz), Cesar (Grenoble), Jokic (Sochaux) Filekovic (Maribor); Koren (West Bromwich Albion), Komac (Djurgarden), Zlogar (Omonoia); Novakovic (Cologne), Kirm (Domzale), Dedic (Frosinone).

Referee: A Yefet (Israel).

Group Three

Northern Ireland results: Slovakia 2 Northern Ireland 1; Northern Ireland 1 Czech Republic 0; Slovenia 2 Northern Ireland 0; Northern Ireland 4 San Marino 0; San Marino 0 Northern Ireland 3; Northern Ireland 3 Poland 2.

Remaining fixtures: Tonight Slovenia (h). 5 Sep Poland (a). 9 Sep Slovakia (h). 14 Oct Czech Republic (a).