Will Grigg aiming to make most of his chance

The Walsall striker is in line to face Cristiano Ronaldo and Co in Porto tonight with Michael O'Neill's men chasing an upset.

Ronaldo is set to win his 100th cap while Grigg is hunting just his second international appearance but is out to stun the hosts in Group F.

"The manager's a really positive guy and tells me to keep doing what I'm doing and I'll get the chance," he said, with Albion duo Chris Brunt and Gareth McAuley respectivelyinjured and suspended for the game.

"It's great to be part of it. There are some top-class players in the squad and I just want to keep playing with them.

"There are aspects of my game which have definitely come on this year and it's one of those things which is only going to benefit me.

"There are a few local lads in the squad but when you've got players like Kyle Lafferty who is playing abroad now (for FC Sion in Switzerland) then you can only learn things from him. He's a big help."

Northern Ireland suffered an embarrassing 1-1 draw at home to Luxembourg after losing 2-0 in Russia last month, with Grigg an unused substitute in both games.

His one cap came in June's 6-0 defeat to Holland. He had been a regular for the under-21s following his Saddlers breakthrough in 2008.

Grigg missed Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Shrewsbury and has netted twice this season. Boss Dean Smith said the 21-year-old will improve with regular international football. "When you're training with a higher calibre of player it only helps," said Smith.