Michael Hughes and Keith Gillespie are back with Northern Ireland after surviving the deepest lows of their careers since they won their last caps against Hungary 11 months ago.

Hughes has just returned to action with Wimbledon after breaking his leg last May, while Gillespie has battled back from the brink to relaunch his career at Blackburn. Now both are set to crown their comebacks by playing in Northern Ireland's World Cup Group Three qualifier against the Czech Republic at Windsor Park on Saturday.

Hughes readily admits the last year has been the most difficult of his career. "It's been a hard old year," he said. "Three months I was told when I first did it, but after nine months it still wasn't feeling very good."

Wimbledon's fitness coach Daley Thompson helped Hughes along the long road back to recovery and even now the left winger still has a pin inserted in his shin bone.

The 29-year-old is desperate to play on Saturday, even though he admits he is still short of match fitness after just three games back for Wimbledon. "I'm ready to do what's asked of me and I will do my best," he said. "The fitness might be a problem, but if I'm asked to go out on the pitch I will be very happy to do that."

Gillespie is just as keen to play following the transformation in his fortunes at Blackburn. He is back in the Rovers first team, just a couple of months after manager Graeme Souness told him he had no future at the club and sent him on loan to Wigan.

"It was just a very frustrating period at Blackburn training with the reserves with nothing really to look forward to," said the right winger. "I had been used to playing regularly for most of my career so obviously it was a kick in the teeth when this happened. That was a very difficult time, but I always had faith in my ability to get back and now I have. It's great to be back in the Northern Ireland squad. Everyone wants to play for their country and I'm no different."

Northern Ireland manager Sammy McIlroy is thrilled to have the experienced pair back. "You miss two players of this calibre unbelievably," he said. "Little Hughesie can turn games on his own, while there's no-one better at running at people and getting crosses in than Keith when he's on top of his game."

Jim Magilton is McIlroy's only fitness concern but the Ipswich midfielder is expected to shrug off a groin injury.

Ryan Giggs will not fly with Wales to Armenia for their Group Five qualifier because he fears the long flight could affect his recovery from a hamstring injury. The Manchester United winger will miss Saturday's game but hopes to be ready for the match against Ukraine four days later. Giggs is training with United's reserves to regain full fitness, but has not played first-team football for a month.