Steven Davis wants Northern Ireland to finish their World Cup qualifying campaign in style even if it is not enough to keep their World Cup dream alive.

Unless there are a string of freak results on Wednesday, a play-off spot is now effectively out of the question following the home defeat to group leaders Slovakia.

Second-placed Slovenia only need a point away to group whipping boys San Marino to end Northern Ireland's chances.

However, Rangers midfielder Davis believes their travelling fans deserve a show in Prague, where they face the Czech Republic.

The hosts still have an outside chance of a place in the top two, so the atmosphere will be electric and Davis intends to savour the occasion.

He told www.rangers.co.uk: "The higher up the table we finish the better it will be for our seeding at the draw for the Euros (2012 qualifiers).

"It definitely helps your cause and I think we have seen proof of that in the last two campaigns.

"There is of course a very slim chance we could finish second best but it looks dead in the water.

"But that will not stop us going out on a high. None of us want to repeat the feelings we had after the Slovakia match. The best way to get that out of our minds is to get a good result in Prague.

"The Czechs have really improved as the campaign has gone on and they also have something to play for in front of their own crowd."

Manager Nigel Worthington has seen eight of his original squad withdraw through injury or illness for their final game in Group Three.

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans was the latest withdrawal when he remained at home with an ankle injury.

Four of them are attack-minded - Jamie Ward, Martin Paterson, plus Rangers pair Kyle Lafferty and Andrew Little - with George McCartney, Sammy Clingan and Chris Brunt also sidelined.

It means Dunfermline striker Andy Kirk has been recalled after a five-year absence from the international scene.

The 30-year-old, who has also worn the colours of Hearts, Northampton, Boston and Yeovil, won his last cap in the 4-1 defeat by Germany in June 2005.

Kirk, who scored in the victory against Ayr United at the weekend, was due to face Ross County on Tuesday but instead is relishing the chance of a run-out against the Czechs.

"Being back among the goals boosts your confidence, " he said in an interview with www.dafc.co.uk.

"I hope I can maintain it although it will be a tough game as the Czechs are a world-class side.

"I have always scored goals no matter where I have been. I get myself in the box and if chances come I am confident I can take them."