The Irish Football Association (IFA) and Linfield Football Club (LFC) are "very close" to concluding a new agreement for the use of Belfast's Windsor Park stadium.

Northern Ireland sports minister Carál Ní Chuilín welcomed the news and said it will ensure that £25.2m of public support towards the venue's redevelopment could be released.

It is also believed that once the agreement is completed, a further £36.2m will be available to other clubs to undertake stadium schemes, with Derry City reported to be among them.

However, an IFA spokesperson said: "[The IFA has] not agreed any deals in respect of the second tranche of circa £36m capital investment in football facilities in Northern Ireland."

The IFA Council has approved the agreement with the endorsement of the IFA Premiership Management Committee, while LFC declined to comment further until a deal is complete.

Details: www.irishfa.com