Northern Ireland to play in West Indies

Northern Ireland will participate in a three-match tour of West Indies this summer after all.

It is a boost for manager Lawrie Sanchez who saw the games as vital to his preparations for the World Cup qualifiers.

There were doubts about tour going ahead when Jamaica opted out but now Barbados will take their place on May 30.

Northern Ireland will then face St Kitts/Nevis on June 2 before closing with a game against Trinidad and Tobago four days later.

An IFA spokesman said: “Lawrie Sanchez is very pleased that the tour will proceed.”