WORLD CUP QUALIFYING GRP 6 Wales v Northern Ireland Wed 8 Sep, Cardiff 2000 BST kick-off News from the Wales camp Feature: Home help needed Live on BBC radio and online

The Sunderland midfielder impressed after coming on as a substitute in Saturday's 1-1 draw in Azerbaijan.

That show in Baku now looks likely to earn the 25-year-old a rare start in front of his home fans in Cardiff.

"I am only going to get bits and pieces in games, so when I do come on I have to make an impact and do something dramatic," Oster said.

"There is Simon Davies, Jason Koumas and Mark Pembridge all ahead of me, so it is difficult to get into the team.

"So it is up to myself when I do get out onto the pitch and show the manager what I can do, and quickly."

Tottenham midfielder Davies is out of Wednesday night's Group Six clash, while Ryan Giggs is serving the last game of a two-match suspension.

Davies missed Saturday's draw in Azerbaijan as he continues his comeback from a shin operation.

That leave the way clear for Oster to start on the right, with West Brom's Koumas likely to continue on the left flank where he finished against Azerbaijan.

It will be embarrassing to lose, disastrous to be honest Wales midfielder John Oster

Manchester City defender Ben Thatcher, who also missed the trip to Baku, looks certain to return at left-back.

Craig Bellamy, Mark Delaney and Koumas all picked up slight knocks, but are available for the match at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Cardiff goalkeeper Martyn Margetson joined the Wales squad on Monday as cover for Danny Coyne, who has returned to his club Burnley for further treatment.

West Brom midfielder Andy Johnson has left the squad because of a family bereavement, but Cardiff's Paul Parry has rejoined the squad after leaving to attend the birth of his son.

Having failed to repeat their win of two years ago in Azerbaijan, it is now vital for Wales that they beat Group Six rivals Northern Ireland.

WALES PROBABLE v N IRELAND Pick your Wales XI

Oster is relishing the chance to play against his Stadium of Light colleagues Jeff Whitley and George McCartney, for the first competitive match between the two nations for 20 years.

McCartney is available again after suspension ruled him out of Northern Ireland's 3-0 defeat at home to Poland on Saturday.

"There are a couple of lads from Sunderland, Jeff and George, who will be playing against us, so there is a lot of club rivalry for me," Oster added.

"There has not been much stick flying around the dressing room at Sunderland yet, but there certainly will be - and plenty of it - if Wales get the right result!

"We must win our home games, no disrespect to the Irish but we must pick up points against them.

"It will be embarrassing to lose, disastrous to be honest. We cannot contemplate losing."

Wales (probable): P Jones, M Delaney, D Gabbidon, A Melville, B Thatcher, J Oster, G Speed (capt), R Savage, J Koumas, C Bellamy, J Hartson.