Friendly international: Northern Ireland v Serbia
Venue: Windsor Park, Belfast Date: Saturday, 14 November KO: 1730 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio Ulster and the BBC Sport website, highlights at 2240 GMT on BBC Two Northern Ireland

Nigel Worthington believes friendlies are important for Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington believes Serbia will provide a stiff test in Saturday's friendly in Belfast.

"I have seen them described as a B-grade country but this B-grade country has just finished above France in their qualifying group," said Worthington.

"That is downright disrespectful - Serbia are very good side, who move the ball quickly, they have terrific pace and a directness about them.

"It is a good challenge for us and what I wanted."

He added: "When they are on form, like Northern Ireland, they work very hard for each other when they haven't got the ball. It is a winning recipe.

"I am looking for a good performance with a good result in front of a very happy and noisy Windsor Park."

Worthington's contract expires next month and he will discuss his future with the Irish FA in the coming weeks.

The early indications suggest that Worthington will be in charge for the upcoming European Championship qualifying campaign.

The manager is happy in the job and he is quick to spell out the importance of this friendly.

This game brings us together again after the qualifiers and that is important. Nigel Worthington

"There are so many positives and we have to look to those positives and keep moving forward," he said.

"I want to move things forward. They (IFA) want to move things forward. We are in good shape and we are working for each other. People at the top end have done a terrific job.

"We are more professional, that is something I believe. Being more professional means money.

"Friendlies bring in revenue to allow me to help the players to prepare better for games and get the best of what they need to help them perform."

"This game brings us together again after the qualifiers and that is important, especially when the next international date is a couple of months way.

"So if we did not have a game this Saturday or next Wednesday it is a long time before the players are together again.

"I think you can see the relevance of having the game, the way the players have turned up in numbers. That is credit to what happened during the qualifiers."

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