KYLE Lafferty will be motivated by a fear of failure as Northern Ireland bid to get their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track this midweek.
With only one point gained from three matches, nothing less than a victory against San Marino tomorrow at Windsor Park will do.
Lafferty and Sunderland's David Healy will be expected to get among the goals for the first time in the campaign.
The Rangers striker, 21, knows it is time to deliver with the likes of Warren Feeney, Martin Paterson and Peter Thompson waiting eagerly in the wings.
Lafferty said: "If you are not performing, you have to be aware the manager could drop you. He has to do what is best for the team.
"There are other good strikers in the squad. Warren, for a start, has a lot of experience.
"I know if I am not playing well I should not be in the team as I am no help to anyone.
"But it goes without saying I will always give my best and try to score as I want to take Northern Ireland to the finals."
Manager Nigel Worthington praised Lafferty for his display on Saturday during the 2-0 defeat by Slovenia. It was another indication the former Burnley forward is getting his sharpness back following a frustrating time in Scotland.
Lafferty has made a slow start at Rangers – after a £3 million move in the summer – because of niggling back and hamstring injuries. He said: "I am feeling much fitter now and getting in a full game against Slovenia did me the world of good.
"I feel I will be fresh for the San Marino match as well and hopefully my injuries are behind me.
"I do not think my career at Rangers has started yet with the problems I have had. Perhaps my luck is about to change."
San Marino are seen as whipping boys by many people – they have not won a competitive match in 18 years – and were beaten 3-1 by Slovakia at the weekend.
However, Lafferty is refusing to take anything for granted when the teams come face to face in Belfast.
"San Marino are not getting thrashed on a regular basis anymore," he said. "All we can do is go out, play our normal game and hopefully the goals will come.
"We were down on Saturday after losing to Slovenia, but all that disappointment is out of our system and we are ready to go again."
Worthington has drafted the Linfield midfielder Michael Gault into the squad to face the Group 3 minnows.
Gault steps up as Chris Baird looks like being switched to a defensive role, with Jonny Evans suspended after picking up a second yellow card in Slovenia.
The 25-year-old made his debut for the province as a substitute in the victory against Georgia in a friendly in March.
The full article contains 490 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
