McIlroy's men the talk of the street

Northern Ireland training sessions were once only populated by players and coaches. Now fans are turning up, leading the side's captain, Aaron Hughes, to believe that the team's fortunes are improving.

Northern Ireland play Armenia tonight in a Euro 2004 qualifier, confident of achieving their first win in Group Six and avoiding the ignominy of finishing bottom. The reason for the renewed confidence is two goalless draws in the group against Ukraine and Spain.

Newcastle's Hughes said: "People in the street are talking about the team and I am convinced we are going to get more support at games. Fans are coming to watch the lads training. That's a spin-off from how well we have done of late."

The Leicester winger Keith Gillespie is a doubt because of injury but the manager, Sammy McIlroy, is keen for him to play at Windsor Park since Michael Hughes is suspended.McIlroy may revert to 4-4-2 after using Preston's David Healy as a lone striker in Ukraine. Phil Mulryne and Andy Smith could be recalled in attack as the Irish try to end a run of 1,062 minutes without a goal.