Hughes hasn't given up hope

Aaron Hughes is convinced Northern Ireland still have a chance of qualifying for Euro 2008.

Successive defeats by Latvia and Iceland suggested their campaign was all but over. However, Hughes (27), believes Northern Ireland are at their best when the odds are against them.

He was in bullish mood ahead of the match with Group F leaders Sweden tomorrow when a victory will see the hosts qualify for Austria and Switzerland.

With their final two games against Denmark at home and second-placed Spain in Las Palmas, Northern Ireland face a tough run-in.

Hughes, who looks certain to be named captain after recovering from an ankle ligament injury, is relishing the challenge. "We have caused upsets before, so why not again?" said the Fulham defender. "When things are against us that is when we are at our best. There is no pressure on us, it is all on Sweden.

"We can go out and just play. We are still in it, we are not out of it despite what some people are saying, although we are going to have to do it the hard way."

Northern Ireland have won only two out of their last 27 competitive games away from home and their task in Stockholm is not made any easier in that manager Nigel Worthington will be without five players who started against Latvia.

Chris Baird, skipper in Riga, and Warren Feeney are both suspended. Keith Gillespie, Jonny Evans and Michael Duff are all injured.

Gareth McAuley of Leicester and Ivan Sproule of Bristol City, who have both expressed their disappointment at being overlooked, could make rare starts. Stephen Craigan and Kyle Lafferty are also expected to return against a Sweden side that beat Liechtenstein 3-0 at the weekend.