Healy and Northern Ireland focused on ultimate goal

Group F: Spain v Northern IrelandRecord goalscorer David Healy insists he is motivated by medals not money, on the eve of Northern Ireland's most important match in 21 years. Not since the 1986 World Cup finals has there been such a buzz of anticipation in the province. Should Spain be defeated here today and Latvia overcome Sweden then Northern Ireland will become the smallest nation to take their place in Austria and Switzerland for the Euro 2008 finals.

The rewards are tangible as well - a bonus of around €1.4 million to be shared among the players and coaching staff remains on the table from the Irish Football Association, even though Raymond Kennedy has replaced Jim Boyce as president.

Healy's priority is to add to his 13-goal tally and spark a carnival atmosphere among the 5,000 travelling fans.

"I heard from (chief executive) Howard Wells the bonus is up to £1.5 million (€2.1 million); I am just waiting for confirmation!" the Fulham striker reported. "It is not about the bonus, though, it is about the chance to play in a major finals. You go away on holiday and watch World Cups and European Championships on television. It would be nice to be there for a change in Austria and Switzerland. That's the aim."

Healy echoes the thoughts of manager Nigel Worthington that Spain - who are expected to ring the changes after qualifying - can be beaten. The host nation are well aware of the damage the striker can do, because he scored all the goals in a famous 3-2 victory last year. Healy continued his remarkable efforts in front of goal at the weekend, with the winner in the 2-1 success against Denmark.

He said: "It is a big challenge tomorrow and probably our biggest game since the World Cup in 1986. We can face Spain with confidence. We have a lot of character in our squad. Everyone is elated after that tremendous comeback against Denmark."

Healy takes heart from the fact Israel and Macedonia both chalked up shock victories against Russia and Croatia at the weekend. He said: "It just shows you what can happen, and those two results give us hope. I hope Latvia can do us a favour and beat Sweden. That would be excellent."

Worthington was part of the 1986 World Cup squad - he won 66 caps - and will draw on that experience in his message to the players. He said: "You need good players but you also need mental strength. You have to stick together -and the squad do - and go and enjoy it. That's important. You need to relax to be able to play well."

Worthington is likely to recall Chris Baird and Ivan Sproule, with Jonny Evans and Keith Gillespie suspended.

Midfielder Cesc Fabregas has warned Spain will not ease off against Northern Ireland having already qualified. Luis Aragones's side were impressive in beating Sweden 3-0 at the Bernabeu on Saturday.

"We all want to win and in particular because of the way we lost over there," the Arsenal player said. "I don't know if revenge is the word, but we want to win in order to finish the group phase well, especially after what we have been through. We have the chance to finish top."

Spain's shock 3-2 defeat in Belfast last September, followed by the 2-0 setback in Sweden were the low points of their campaign. But they have only dropped two points since then in the 1-1 draw away to Iceland in September.

"We are not even thinking about the finals as there is still a long way to go," Espanyol winger Albert Riera said. "We need to go out against Northern Ireland and win and worry about what happens after that, later."

Coach Aragones is likely to give players who were substitutes on Saturday a run out in Las Palmas, which could see Real Mallorca striker Daniel Guiza handed his debut up front. Atletico Madrid defenders Pablo Ibanez and Mariano Pernia are expected to come in at the back, with Valencia winger Joaquin and Villarreal's Marcos Senna at midfield.

Venue: Estadio de Gran Canaria Kick-off: 7pm On TV: BBC 2 Northern Ireland