Hunt eyes victory in Cyprus

Stephen Hunt hopes that Ireland can carry their recent impressive away form into Saturday's 2010 World Cup qualifier against Cyprus in Nicosia.

However, the Hull City midfielder has sounded a warning that Cyprus are better than their fourth position in Group 8 suggests, not that Ireland players need reminding of how dangerous Cyprus can be after the 5-2 defeat in October 2006.

Hunt said: 'They are a good team and are probably under-rated. They haven't got the results they deserve in the campaign. We have to go there and make sure they stay unlucky.

'Wins and points on the road breed confidence. Hopefully, we can go there and win the game and, to an extent, get revenge. We're getting close to the end of the campaign and, hopefully, we can push ourselves over the line.'

Manager Giovanni Trapattoni attributed Ireland's resilience away from home to a change in the way they approach those games and said the team now 'plays with their head'.

Ireland are currently second in the group and trail Italy by one point, although the world champions do have a game in hand. Hunt has credited Trapattoni for the turnaround in Ireland's fortunes in the past 18 months.

Hunt said: 'He's been good for Ireland and we are in with a chance of qualifying for a World Cup. Not many people would have said that after the last campaign. He is obviously doing something right. The players are behind him and we've got the belief we can go all the way.'

Ireland stand a good chance of qualifying for their first major tournament in eight years, but Hunt believes the team could have achieved more from the group games to date.

He said: 'I think we could possibly have more points on the board. When we have scored a goal, we have let teams back in. Hopefully, we can shut the door and go on to score another one to relieve the tension. The players at the back wouldn't be under as much pressure then.

'We are looking to finish top of the group. Hopefully, we can take the Italians at our place [on 10 October], with the potential to then go above them in the group.'

Hunt has started the previous two away games against Italy and Bulgaria and hopes that his performances in those two games, together with his move to Premier League, are enough to keep him in the starting XI for Saturday.

He said: 'It's been hectic. There were three games in a week at the start of the season. Having had a hernia four weeks ago, it was a crash course for fitness but I got through it. I am delighted that I did.

'There's healthy competition for places but if you're playing well in the Premier League it helps [selection]. It breeds confidence. We are international players so we should be playing well.'