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Michael O'Neill says spirit is good inside Northern Ireland camp

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Michael O'Neill says there is total belief that Northern Ireland can qualify for the European Championships

Relaxed, confident and in good humour, Michael O'Neill seems to be enjoying life as Northern Ireland manager.

"I've got an ear infection, so I can't hear you. Maybe that's a good thing!" O'Neill joked, at the beginning of his news conference ahead of Sunday's crucial match at home to Finland.

As supporters and the media heap praise on his team for winning three of their opening four European Qualifiers, O'Neill is certainly not listening - and it has got nothing to do with an infection.

"Everyone is getting excited and a little premature about where this squad is going," he added. "We're not looking further than Finland but we know the significance of three points."

Three points could potentially move the Irish eight clear of fourth in Group F, providing Romania beat the Faroe Islands. The players are not getting carried away but the magnitude of the occasion is not lost on them.

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"It's probably the biggest game I've ever been involved in", said Ollie Norwood.

"These are the nights you live for as a player. It's a chance for us to put a marker down."

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At 23, Norwood is at least 10 years younger than Chris Baird, Gareth McAuley, Aaron Hughes and Roy Carroll.

"Without being disrespectful to the senior guys, a few of them see it as their last chance to get to a major tournament," said the Reading midfielder.

"As a young player and speaking to the other young players, we want to help them get there.

"You look at Aaron Hughes with 95 caps. He deserves to play at a major tournament. We're all in this together."

Hughes will become Northern Ireland's most capped outfield player if he plays on Sunday, and has been an ever-present in this campaign. Alongside McAuley, they have been a formidable pair in the centre of defence.

My job is to pick the best team to try and win the game. It's not about sentiment, it's about a team and a squad and the players accept that. The spirit and harmony in the squad is strong.
Michael O'Neill

Jonny Evans returned to international football on Wednesday against Scotland after a 16-month absence, which leaves O'Neill with decisions to make.

Will Evans or Hughes partner McAuley? Could one of Evans or Hughes be the fourth different left-back of this campaign?

The only other player available for the Finland game to have played in that position in a Euro 2016 qualifier (v Hungary) is Chris Brunt. He has played in that position recently for West Brom, but played in midfield against Romania.

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Northern Ireland face Finland in their Group G European Qualifier on Sunday night and victory would give them a great chance of automatic qualification

Has Stuart Dallas done enough to earn a competitive debut having been singled out by O'Neill for praise following the friendly defeat by Scotland? Corry Evans has started all three away fixtures but did not play in Belfast against the Faroe Islands, with the onus on the Irish to show more ambition on that occasion. Niall McGinn will also be pushing for a start.

"Any manager wants to have selection problems," said O'Neill.

"My job is to pick the best team to try and win the game. It's not about sentiment, it's about a team and a squad and the players accept that. The spirit and harmony in the squad is strong."

O'Neill and Finland manager Mixu Paatelainen played together at Dundee United and O'Neill began his coaching career as an assistant to Paatelainen at Cowdenbeath.

"I respect him greatly as a coach and a person. We've a good relationship but we both have our own agenda and that is to try and get three points."

Victory would tee up what would be an eagerly anticipated top-two clash with Romania in Belfast in June. 

Watch Northern Ireland v Finland live on Sky Sports 5 HD from 4.30pm on Sunday.

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