Lawrie Sanchez is hoping NI can spring a surprise against Wales

Northern Ireland take on Wales in Cardiff on Wednesday reeling from a 3-0 defeat at home to Poland in the opening World Cup qualifier.

"Everybody wants to prove we are a better team than the scoreline against Poland suggests," said Sanchez.

"It is a chance for us to show we will not be the makeweights in this group which some are writing us off as."

Sanchez has been boosted by the return of Peterborough United midfielder Danny Sonner from injury for the Cardiff clash and said there would be some changes to his line-up.

The pressure is on Wales. It is a chance for us to make amends for Saturday Lawrie Sanchez

Central defenders Stephen Craigan and Mark Williams looked out of their depth against the Poles and may be dropped.

George McCartney is likely to be recalled after suspension and could link up with captain Aaron Hughes.

Mark Clyde is a contender for the right-back role, while Tony Capaldi seems certain to retain his place on the left.

The team lacked width as well, and Sanchez may be tempted to recall Keith Gillespie. Although he is not getting regular games for Leicester, his experience could be vital in the electric atmosphere of the Millennium Stadium.

Steve Jones and Paul McVeigh are also pushing for places in the starting line-up.

'Make amends'

The Northern Ireland manager said he was not surprised England and Wales let points slip in their opening games.

"I said all along every team would cuts each others' throats and that has been proven already," said Sanchez.

"Wales were expected to get three points in Azerbaijan but they only got one.

"They play us now, the supposed makeweights of the group, and they have to beat us.

"The pressure is on Wales, they will have a big crowd there. But it is a chance for us to make amends for Saturday.

"The players have been feeling sorry for themselves. The press have been all over them, rolled them over, but that is all gone now and we have to get on with the next game.

"If we can get some sort of result in Cardiff the world will look a lot different than it did at five o'clock on Saturday afternoon.

"I will be interested to see England's result in Poland. The Poles are a good side but they did not create many chances apart from the ones we gave them."