Hughes 'better prepared' after Euro adventure

Newcastle defender Aaron Hughes believes playing in the Champions League leaves him well prepared for the challenge he faces tonight.

He is expected to square up to Real Madrid star Raul when Northern Ireland open their Euro 2004 qualifying campaign against Spain in Albacete.

Hughes is set to win his 25th cap. The last time the Irish faced Spain he was captain – and they lost 5-0.

He believes his game has come on since that night in April, thanks chiefly to Newcastle’s involvement in Europe’s top club tournament.

“When you are playing in the Premier League, you come up against top-class players,” he said.

“The Champions League is another step up and every game you play at a high level, you learn a little bit more.

“Hopefully that will stand me in good stead when we face Spain. It is not just Raul we have to worry about, they are full of quality.

“We saw what they could do in Belfast. We did well for half and hour, then they stepped up a gear. While I didn’t enjoy the defeat, I was thrilled to be captain. It was a good learning experience.”

The Irish follow this match by facing Ukraine at Windsor Park on Wednesday and Hughes knows they do not want to be playing catch up in the group.

“Hopefully we can get off to a good start and get a few points in the board,” he said. “It was always going to be tough in our group but we don’t want to be left behind in the early stages.”

Manager Sammy McIlroy’s attacking options could be limited tonight as Willem II striker James Quinn has an ankle injury.

“He joined in the training session but he is a bit of a concern at the moment,” said the Irish boss.

McIlroy is without three defenders for the match with Danny Griffin, Mark Williams and Peter Kennedy all ruled out. Shaun Holmes of Wrexham has linked up the squad and is likely to be on the bench.

A double bonus for McIlroy is that defender Gerry Taggart and midfielder Steve Lomas are both fit after injury problems.

Lomas will captain the side – and Hughes is delighted the two players are back on board.

“You need your experienced players against quality opposition, so it is great that Gerry and Steve are here,” he said. “They are hardened professionals and the kind of guys you need in a game like this. We have to be on our mettle.”

McIlroy believes his side played much better than the 5-0 scoreline indicated when they met in April.

“I feel we are stronger than the last time we played Spain, so hopefully we can put on a better performance,” he said. “We have a plan and we will try and close them down. It worked quite well in Denmark.

“They are a fantastic side, very tough and very physical, so we have a job on and hopefully we can see it through.”

N Ireland (probable): Taylor (Fulham), Murdock (Preston), A Hughes (Newcastle), Taggart (Leicester), Gillespie (Blackburn), Horlock (Man City), Mulryne (Norwich), Lomas (West Ham), Johnson (Birmingham), Healey (Preston), McVeigh (Norwich).