Hi °C | Lo °C Northern Ireland must contend with a future "best player in the world" if they are to achieve a shock victory over Spain in Las Palmas tomorrow night.
Chris Brunt, Northern Ireland's left winger, has been amazed and impressed by Cesc Fabregas' stunning form for Arsenal in the Premier League.
And he insists the 20-year-old midfield star could soon be the most wanted man in the game.
Fabregas played in Northern Ireland's shock victory over Spain at Windsor Park 14 months ago, but surprisingly he had little impact on the game.
However, Brunt expects Febregas - unless he is rested by coach Luis Aragones - to play a major role in Northern Ireland's final but extremely crucial qualifying match.
Brunt said: "Cesc Fabregas is playing in a great Arsenal side and I think has already reached double figures for goals scored - that's amazing for a midfield player.
"He's going to be the best player in the world if he keeps on adding things to his game, which of course he has been doing.
"People seem to forget he's only 20 - it's amazing to think that he's got another 15 or 16 years left in the game.
" I know he's only slight but you don't get to play so many games in the Premier League without being able to mix it. He's added goals to his game so that's just scary.
"Really though, you can't go out and solely try and stop Fabregas from dictating play because you also have Xavi and Iniesta.
"They have three or four quality midfielders capable of dictating a game."
Brunt wasn't even in the squad for Northern Ireland's stunning win over Spain last year and so naturally he's excited to be playing in such an important and high profile game.
He's well aware of the threat Spain possess, but admits Northern Ireland will give the Spanish an almighty battle with qualification still a possibility.
It will be a tall order to reach the Euro 2008 finals - Northern Ireland must defeat Spain and hope Sweden lose to Latvia - but Brunt isn't giving up hope.
" I think we just have to go out there and play our own game, the way we've been playing against Sweden and then Denmark the other night," he said.
"We have to close down, win the ball and then try and create as many chances as possible for ourselves.
"Obviously it's going to be tough - tough to try and break them down but we are out here to win and will be doing everything we can to make sure that happens.
" Hopefully if other things go our way then it could be a great night.
"However, our main aim has to be on securing a great result against Spain.
"If we get a win but unfortunately don't qualify then we should still feel very proud of ourselves."
