Northern Ireland skipper Aaron Hughes admits they are facing their biggest game in years when they tackle Slovakia on Wednesday.

The Northern Irish would put themselves in pole position for a top-two spot if they could beat group leaders Slovakia at Windsor Park.

Northern Ireland have not qualified for a major tournament since 1986 and Hughes knows that their clash with Slovakia is the biggest during his time playing for his country.

"It is going to be up there, in terms of what it means," Hughes told Sky Sports News.

"We have had some big games in terms of opposition in who we have come up against but this is it in terms of what it means.

"We had a good result on Saturday which makes this one even bigger."

Boss Nigel Worthington insists that they will not be taking Slovakia for granted.

"We have got to be very, very cautious, they have been top of the table all the way through, they are well organised, they are solid, they work hard," he told Sky Sports News.

"We have got to be patient and concentrate on our own game - but if we do it right, then we can get the result we all want, which is a win and 17 points with one game remaining."

Worthington will be making changes for the game with Kyle Lafferty sidelined through injury.

Burnley's Martin Patterson will come in to replace the Rangers man, and Worthington has no qualms about bringing him in.

"I haven't got bags and bags of centre forwards, we have Martin - I said to him I don't care what chances you miss as long as you work hard for the team," he said.

Worthington will also have Chris Brunt and Chris Baird available again after they both missed the draw in Poland last weekend.

Meanwhile Hughes has given a revealing insight into the training sessions that are bringing an extra edge to the players.

Senior players like Hughes find themselves face to face with the rookies in bounce games - and the Fulham defender admits pride is at stake.

It is part of Worthington's bonding strategy and Hughes believes the pre-match tussles are ideal preparation for their clash against Slovakia.

Hughes said: "We don't like to lose. The young lads have had a couple on us a few times and a few of the old heads don't like it.

"We had it after yesterday's session and it was quite competitive. We nicked it to bring the series to 2-2 for the trip.

"The games between young and old are spirited without being silly, we don't go in kicking each other. Normally we play in each trip so we will have to carry it on to the next one.

"Nigel's training is very good in terms of getting out what we want to get out and at the same time we can have a bit of fun in the games and stuff.

"It's all geared towards preparing us the best we can be so that if we lose a game we can turn around and say it was because we weren't good enough on the night, not because of something we did on Thursday or Wednesday.

"That level of professionalism has helped us a lot. These little changes are just what we needed and might take us to the World Cup."

Victory against Slovakia will see Northern Ireland go top of Group Three and their form in big matches at Windsor Park suggests they could pull it off.

Under Worthington they are unbeaten in six competitive games at home with five wins and a draw to their credit.

Hughes said: "We know how to win games matches now, we know what it takes both physically and mentally.

"At home we've just got into a rhythm and we've got a bit of momentum going through the atmosphere, the confidence the lads have of playing at home with no fear.

"Even when things don't go well for us, we go a goal down or we're not playing well, we know that we can pick ourselves up and that the crowd will stay with us.

"That sees us through games and if you throw everything into the mix, I think our form has been good.

"We've got the confidence to play a bit of football too and that's surprised a few teams as well."