STEVEN Davis could take a giant step towards Euro 2016 with Northern Ireland tonight, as they visit the Faroe Islands.

The Irish are currently second in Group F and could move to the brink of qualifying for next summer's finals in France if they can win this evening.

Michael O'Neill's team are just one point behind leaders Romania and two ahead of third-placed Hungary - with those two sides playing each other in Budapest tonight.

Northern Ireland, who are captained by Saints midfielder Davis, will host Hungary on Monday night, while they will finish their campaign at home to Greece next month.

If all goes to plan, they will be celebrating qualification for a major tournament for the first time in 30 years.

"It's hard not to dream of reaching the finals, but at the same time there is a reality there that we're not good enough to take our eyes off the ball," said Davis.

"You have to treat the Faroes on their own merit and they are coming into this game off the back of a good win over Greece. Like us, they will be going out to win the game. We want to get the three points and we're confident we can do that, but we're respectful of the Faroes.

"Therefore, we have to be fully focused on each and every game. Of course, it would be an unbelievable achievement to get there, but there's still a lot of hard work ahead."

O'Neill said: "If we were to manage to maintain our form and secure qualification, I think it would be the first time in history that a pot-five team has qualified.

"That gives you an indication of where this team has come to. The motivation is there because Northern Ireland needs it. Simple as that. Nothing else.

O'Neill added: "The likes of Steven, Aaron Hughes, Chris Baird, just to name three players alone, have served Northern Ireland now for the best part of ten, 15 years. It would be their reward to get to the finals. It's that type of player and other senior players around them that have put themselves in this position."

 

Elsewhere tonight, Shane Long is also in Euro 2016 qualifying action, as Republic of Ireland visit Gibraltar.

The Republic could go third in Group D with a win, but would need Scotland to slip up away to Georgia.

Dusan Tadic is with Serbia for their qualifier at home to Armenia, but, with his country at the foot of Group I, any hopes of the midfielder and his country reaching the finals are long since gone.

Cuco Martina is part of the Curacao squad that are hosting El Salvador in a 2018 World Cup qualifier, while Cedric Soares and Jose Fonte could come up against former Saints midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, as Portugal host France in a friendly.