N IRELAND v AZERBAIJAN Kick-off: 1500 BST, Saturday 3rd September Venue: Windsor Park, Belfast Live coverage on BBC Radio Ulster and this website Team news

The Sheffield United winger said the team owed the fans and manager Lawrie Sanchez a good performance.

"This is a game we really need to win and should win," he told BBC Sport.

"We have to put on a performance for everyone and it is vital to get a win because 10 games without one is an awful long time."

Northern Ireland drew 0-0 with Azerbaijan in their qualifier last October in Baku and both teams are seeking their first win in the group.

"We played quite well in Azerbaijan last year and it is a difficult place to get a result," Gillespie added.

"We are favourites but we must not go into the gave over-confident because that can backfire on you."

It breaks down team cohesiveness but no, there isn't a problem in the camp. Lawrie Sanchez

Meanwhile, Sanchez has denied there is a discipline problem in his Northern Ireland squad after Jeff Whitley and Philip Mulryne were ordered home on Wednesday.

The Cardiff City midfielders were told to leave the side's training camp after breaking a curfew and will miss the qualifiers against Azerbaijan and England.

"They broke a curfew everybody else was abiding to," said Sanchez, who would not reveal details of the incident.

"It breaks down team cohesiveness but no, there isn't a problem in the camp."

And Sanchez has won the support of skipper Andy Hughes.

"Obviously we are all disappointed at what has happened. The manager has made his decision and everyone is behind that," said the Aston Villa defender.

"There needs to be discipline and Lawrie has acted accordingly. Now the situation is past, we have to look forward to the games that are coming up."

Sanchez has called up Hibernian's hat-trick hero against Rangers, Ivan Sproule, Motherwell striker Andy Smith and Burnley defender Michael Duff.