Damien Johnson has pleaded with the Green and White Army to roar Northern Ireland to victory tomorrow night and help catapult Nigel Worthington’s men closer to the World Cup Finals.

With only two games left in the race for qualification in Group Three, every point is precious and tomorrow night’s battle with table toppers Slovakia at Windsor Park is a must-win showdown.

The Northern Ireland players are exhausted after sweating blood in the Slaski Stadium and they will need the fans to drive them over the line.

Wednesday nights at the south Belfast venue are rarely quiet evenings and the Birmingham City midfielder wants the fans to show just how much they want to make it to the World Cup Finals.

“We will need the fans to get behind us because it was a tough game on Saturday and it took a lot out of us,” said Johnson.

“The fans always get behind us, especially the evening games at Windsor and that electric atmosphere inspires the players.

“Hopefully it will be more of the same.

“Slovakia are a good side that play good football and we know we have a game on our hands.

“But we are looking forward to it and hopefully we can produce a good performance.

“Everyone is a little disappointed we did not win the game in Poland but we should look at the bigger picture and accept it as a good result.

“We would probably have taken the draw going out there, given the other results so it wasn’t a bad night for us.”

There is genuine belief in the Northern Ireland camp that the qualification carrot can be grasped and Johnson can feel that special sense of anticipation.

“There are two games to go and we are still in with a shout so you have to believe,” he added.

“Our opponents are tough to beat but we have hope. Teams do not relish coming to Windsor Park and it is up to us to show everyone the reason why.

“Slovakia are expecting a tough game and we better give them it. We must not disappoint them.”

After a spirited showing in Poland, any slip-up at Windsor would be disastrous, though Johnson is staying positive.

“We feel that we can give anyone a game at Windsor and we must do that on Wednesday,” he said.

“It is great for the country to be still in with a shout of qualification and hopefully we can finish the job. Hopefully we won’t let anyone down.”