Will Grigg caps a great run with Northern Ireland

The striker is set for his second cap against Malta tomorrow after smashing 10 goals for the Saddlers.

Kyle Lafferty is suspended and injured Jamie Ward has pulled out, leaving Paddy McCourt, Dean Shiels and uncapped Adam McGurk and Billy McKay competing with Grigg for a call.

Grigg's sole cap came in the 6-0 battering by Holland last June but after his career-best goal-haul, the striker reckons he is the right man to lead the line in Malta.

He said: "I think I'm ready. My first game was a bit of a tough one but I coped relatively well.

"I have to wait for my chance and then take it.

"It's different coaching methods and different lads. It's a different world, to be honest, but it's a good experience.

"It's one of those situations where it's a big step and you are with the lads playing for the Premier League and foreign clubs. It's going to be different.

"Hopefully I've shown enough in training and if I do well enough for Walsall I'll get a chance.

"We'll get out there and I'll have a better picture of things and I'd be disappointed not to get on the pitch.

"Whether I start or come on it's about taking my chance and that's what I'll try to do."

Northern Ireland host Russia and Israel in their 2014 World Cup qualifiers next month needing to win after three draws and a defeat left them fourth in Group F.

They are nine points behind leaders Russia – but Grigg refused to give up on qualification for Rio.

"We got the goal late on (a 1-1 draw against Azerbaijan in November) and it kept us in there," said the 21-year-old.

"We were disappointed not to get the three points but every point is vital.

"It's still alive – as long as we're mathematically capable of doing it we've still got a chance.

"We've got some big home games coming up and hopefully we can use that to our advantage.

"Tomorrow is a big game, the first and only match before the Russia tie, so it's important for us."