Republic of Ireland hoping to arrange England friendly

The Republic of Ireland are hoping to host England in a friendly next season.

The teams met at Wembley in May 2013, and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) says there is an agreement for a return game in Dublin.

England have not played in the Republic since 1995, when a friendly had to be abandoned because of rioting fans.

"I would be hopeful it could be played in March next year," said FAI chief executive John Delaney. "But there are no guarantees."

Delaney said the FAI is in "regular contact" with England's Football Association about the potential fixture.

He added: "We will wait until the European draw on 23 February, because if England are in our group the friendly would be pushed back a bit.

"There was a reciprocal agreement for them to come to Dublin. I thought it was right that we played the first match at Wembley because the last time we played them was the 1995 game.

"It was best that the next time we played them was at Wembley."

Last year's friendly ended 1-1, with Frank Lampard equalising after Shane Long headed the Republic into an early lead.

The previous match between the sides, at Lansdowne Road in February 1995, was abandoned after seats in the England section were ripped up and missiles thrown.