New deal not Worthington priority

Nigel Worthington has put talks about a new contract on hold

Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington does not want the distraction of contract talks as he focuses on winning a place at the 2010 World Cup.

Irish Football Association president Raymond Kennedy has said he plans to offer Worthington, whose deal ends in December, a new two-year contract.

Worthington told BBC Radio 5 Live's Ian Dennis that contract talks are "not an important issue at the moment".

"I just want to concentrate on the games," added Worthington.

"Signing a new deal is not at the forefront of my mind."

He doesn't want to lose any momentum going into the remaining qualifying games, which could result in Northern Ireland reaching their first major finals since 1986.

Northern Ireland are currently second in Group Three, only two points behind leaders Slovakia, who they play at Windsor Park on September 9 following a trip to Poland in a vital double-header.

Kennedy said at the weekend that he intends to offer Worthington a contract extension ahead of the 2012 European Championship qualifiers.

"We want to send out a message to clubs that Nigel is our man and we do not want to let him go," he stated.

"The financial package to have Nigel as our manager has been money well spent."

Former Blackpool, Norwich and Leicester boss Worthington took over from Lawrie Sanchez as Northern Ireland boss in June 2007 and since then the country has risen to 27th place in the Fifa rankings.

"I want Nigel to lead us into the next European Championship qualifiers. He has proved to be a terrific Northern Ireland manager," added Kennedy.