Sanchez anxious for first victory

Northern Ireland v Azerbaijan

Windsor Park, 3.0

On TV: BBC1

Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez is expecting nothing less than a whole-hearted display today from five players who are treading a disciplinary tightrope.

Goalkeeper Maik Taylor, Colin Murdock, Chris Baird, David Healy and James Quinn all stand on one booking going into the World Cup qualifying match against Azerbaijan.

The consequences of another yellow card would mean a seat on the sidelines next Wednesday when England are the visitors to Windsor Park. Sanchez has no doubt at all about how they and their team-mates should approach the first test.

"You know when you are going to get yourself booked, more often thanot," said the Northern Ireland manager. "You are wary but you know when you can win a challenge and when it is doubtful. Players have got to be sensible but I have no doubt the commitment will be 100 per cent.

"We saw that earlier in the campaign when Quinn was ruled out of the England game. He may have had tears in his eyes knowing what he was going to miss but he still set up the equaliser against Austria for Stuart Elliott. That's the kind of spirit I am looking for."

Sanchez is anxious to record his first competitive victory, since replacing Sammy McIlroy, at the seventh time of asking. He has warned his squad that failure to deliver against Azerbaijan could lead to demotion for the glamour match with Sven-Goran Eriksson's side. Sanchez's spirits have been raised by the arrival of some fresh faces like Hibernian winger Ivan Sproule and Luton midfielder Steve Robinson.

They have been a breath of fresh air, according to the former Wycombe boss, after the banishment of Jeff Whitley and Phil Mulryne for breaking a curfew.

"You appreciate how much this means to them," he said. "It reaffirms your belief that international football is important despite what has happened with one or two players.

"There are no guarantees they will even be on the bench. But they just want to be here and train with the players. As a manager that is nice to see."

Defensive duo Baird and Tony Capaldi are set to return after missing the draw against Malta in a friendly through injury.

NORTHERN IRELAND (probable): Taylor (Birmingham), Baird (Southampton), Murdock (Rotherham), Hughes (Aston Villa), Capaldi (Plymouth), Gillespie (Sheff Utd), Johnson (Birmingham), Davis (Aston Villa), Elliott (Hull), Healy (Leeds), Quinn (Peterborough).