Aaron Hughes in training ahead of the game with Bulgaria

Northern Ireland v Bulgaria
Windsor Park
Wednesday, 6 February
Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Live on BBC1 NI and BBC Radio Ulster MW, Coverage on BBC Radio 5live & the BBC Sport website.

Northern Ireland captain Aaron Hughes says he is surprised that his Fulham team-mate Steven Davis has been loaned to Rangers for the rest of the season.

"I'm a little surprised we have let him go as I rate him very highly but he has a chance to go out and play regular football at a big club," said Hughes.

"Maybe he was not going to play as much between now and the end of the season.

"I suppose he will be fighting for honours at the top of the table rather than struggling against relegation."

The central defender added that he was "fully confident" that Fulham could get themselves out of relegation trouble.

"There has never been a lack of confidence in the squad and I think the football we have played in the last few weeks has shown that.

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"It is a matter of continuing to dig out results and it was a big win for us against Aston Villa on Sunday."

Hughes expects to face a tough opponent in Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov on Wednesday night and he knows all about the striker from his time in the Premier League.

"I know I will be up against one of the top strikers in the Premier League at the moment and he has shown the ability he has but hopefully he will find Windsor Park a difficult place to come and play.

"He's had a really good season and he's a top striker, really strong and it's difficult to get the ball off him.

"But every international team has players who can hurt you and we have got to prepare ourselves as best we can."