Northern Ireland international Chris Brunt is confident that his nation can qualify for the upcoming European Championship in France.

The West Bromwich Albion captain believes that the current qualifying campaign represents the best chance he and his compatriots have had to get back to the big stage at for the first time since the 1986 World Cup.

"You've got to be confident going in," Brunt is quoted as saying by News Letter. "It's going to be tough but with the extra teams going through this time it's got to be the best chance we've had for a long time.

"It's important we get off to a good start in the group. The other teams will be thinking of that as well, especially Greece, given that they were in the World Cup but they aren't, with respect, a Spain or a Germany.

"This campaign is going to be big for everyone. I want to contribute and have a successful campaign but it's down to improving results on the pitch."

Brunt and his teammates get their Euro 2016 campaign underway against Hungary in Budapest tomorrow.