Christian Noboa is not worried about Diego Maradona's presence at tomorrow's World Cup qualifier against Argentina.

Ecuador head into the game at the Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa after they beat Peru 2-1 last Sunday to join Uruguay on 17 points. Both teams are fighting for a place in the play-off tie with a CONCACAF nation.

Victory over Maradona's side would would reduce their five-point deficit to Argentina, who currently occupy the last direct-qualification berth.

"Maradona won a number of things, but the players do not pay attention to the coach," Noboa said.

"The important thing is that we can play our way and see our abilities before the rivals can do that."

The match will be played at 2,800 metres above sea level and Noboa expects Argentina will suffer the effects of playing at altitude as they did in April, when they lost 6-1 in Bolivia.

"The truth is that all the teams who come here take precautions," he added. "The altitude makes them pay more attention.

"Argentina will surely do that after what happened in Bolivia and they surely don't want to make the same mistakes. We must attack them all the time."

Lionel Messi is expected to play despite knowing a booking would see him suspended for the following game against Brazil.

Defenders Martin Demichelis and Gabriel Heinze are also in the same position.

"Messi says he finds it difficult to play at high altitude and he is right. Playing here is difficult even for me in the first couple of days," Noboa added.

Barcelona star Messi, meanwhile, admits Argentina's 1-0 win over Colombia on Saturday was crucial to recover from the heavy defeat in Bolivia, but is aware that fans want the team to play better.

"The main goal is making it into the World Cup. The qualifiers are very tough and we were obliged to beat Colombia to be calm," said Messi.

"We must learn from our mistakes (in Bolivia) in order to not repeat them in Ecuador. We can win in Quito."