Nigel Worthington is expected to seal a two-year contract as Northern Ireland manager this week. The former Norwich boss has been in discussions with the Irish Football Association since November.

Worthington's short-term deal - he succeeded Lawrie Sanchez in June - coincided with the end of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

While the province failed to reach the finals, they finished a respectable third in their group behind Spain and Sweden.

The IFA believe Worthington is the right man to take them forward into the World Cup qualifying campaign, which starts in September.

"Over the next couple of days, I expect everything to be concluded, with Nigel and his backroom team in place in a two year deal," IFA president Raymond Kennedy told the Belfast Telegraph.

"Negotiations have taken time but the outcome will be positive. Nigel came in at a difficult time and the players seem happy enough with him and his staff and so are we.

"Lawrie built the foundation for success and now Nigel must keep the momentum going."

Worthington will retain his backroom staff of coach Glynn Snodin and goalkeeper coach Fred Barber.