Norwich City striker Kyle Lafferty admits his club career has failed to hit the heights as he looks to fire Northern Ireland to the European Championships.

Lafferty has plundered five goals in five qualifiers for Michael O'Neill's men ahead of Saturday's top-of-the-table Group F clash against Romania at Windsor Park. The 27-year-old was loaned out to Turkish outfit Rizespor by Alex Neil after just one goal in 20 City appearances following nomadic club spells in Italy and Switzerland, but Lafferty has responded to O'Neill's tough love.

'I put it down to the trust and the confidence Michael has shown in me,' he said. 'I have heard people say my club performances are completely different to my displays for Northern Ireland and I would probably agree with them. But it is just I feel more comfortable here, more confident and the manager has put a lot of trust in me. It is paying off now and long may it continue.

'I think everyone knows, because I haven't kept it secret, what he has said to me at the start of the campaign. It really hit home. He told me that I would play anyone off the park at my best. It doesn't mean I have never enjoyed playing for Northern Ireland in the past. I love playing for my country and pulling on the green jersey, but obviously with the goals I have scored in the last five games I am delighted.'

Lafferty is still confident he has a future at Carrow Road as he looks to force his way into Neil's Premier League thoughts. The striker signed an initial three-year deal in July 2014 when he left Palermo.

'I'll report back to pre-season in early July and I'm hoping to be in the manager's plans,' he said, speaking to the Belfast Telegraph. 'Another good performance against Romania and hopefully another goal or two will put my name in his head.

'I've never played in the Premier League before and I'd love the opportunity to see what it's like and how I do against some of the best players in the world.'

Lafferty also revealed he had changed his proposed wedding plans next summer to avoid a potential clash with the finals in France.

'I was getting married, but now I have had to go and re-arrange it,' he said. 'If we are thinking like that though, it is a good thing because it means we will be in France representing the country at the finals. Playing under a manager who believes in me is one factor I think, but I am also now happier off the pitch and I have met someone who is pushing me to perform to my best.'