Lawrie Sanchez is in it for the long haul with Northern Ireland - but first of all he wants a taste of home slickness. Sanchez is looking to end a dismal run at Windsor Park when his charges take on Canada tonight.

While the team have made steady progress under Sanchez - only two defeats in 11 games - they have not won in front of their own supporters since 2001. That was when Iceland were thumped 3-0, and since then there have been a series of false dawns.

Sanchez is nonetheless convinced his team is on the rise, which is why he has asked for a two-year extension to his contract, which is due to expire at the end of the World Cup qualifiers.

An offer has been made, and the situation is expected to be resolved before the match against England at Old Trafford on March 26th.

"It is something that should be settled very quickly," Sanchez said yesterday. IFA vice-president Raymond Kennedy added: "We will be looking at his contract very shortly. Lawrie has helped raise our profile."

Sanchez is expected to hand a first start to 20-year-old Aston Villa midfielder Steve Davis. A good performance could see him retain the jersey in the showdown against England.

"If Steve comes in and scores a hat-trick I don't think I could ignore that," said Sanchez. "What I like about him is that he has not changed the way he plays in the first team. It is the same as if he is in the reserve or youth sides. We took him with us to Azerbaijan last year, and since then he has gone on. He has great enthusiasm."

Striker Andy Kirk is poised to win his sixth cap after a two-year absence. He has scored 19 goals for League Two side Boston, having left Hearts last May.

Kirk looks likely to partner David Healy. The Leeds striker has returned to training following a groin strain.

NORTHERN IRELAND (probable): Taylor or Carroll, Clyde, Hughes, Murdock, Capaldi, Gillespie, Whitley, Davis, Mulryne, Healy, Kirk.