Windsor Park declared safe to stage NI's vital Romania game

The West Stand at Windsor Park had to be demolished after cracks were discovered after the game against Finland in late March

Windsor Park has received final clearance to stage Northern Ireland's vital Euro 2016 qualifier against Romania on Saturday.

The West Stand was demolished when cracks were spotted following the Euro qualifier win over Finland in March.

IFA chief executive Patrick Nelson said fans who purchased West Stand tickets will be rehoused within the stadium.

"The project team has done an absolutely tremendous job on making all of this work," he stated

All 10,000 available tickets have been sold with nearly 4,000 seats put into the new East Stand and the South stand over the past few weeks.

"Everyone who has tickets for the Kop Stand is going to be rehoused either in the North Stand or the East and South East quadrants," said Nelson.

"We're ready to host the game.

"It's one of our biggest games for a long time and we're looking forward to a great atmosphere on Saturday."

After the cracks appeared, Linfield had to play their remaining home games during the season at away venues while the Irish Cup final also had to be moved from Windsor Park.

Throughout the saga, the Irish FA insisted that the demolition work would be completed in time but there was understood to be considerable relief at the governing body's Belfast headquarters on Tuesday evening.

Saturday's international is being described as the biggest Northern Ireland home game in 30 years following the country's impressive start to their Group F European Championship qualifying campaign.

Northern Ireland will move to the top of the table and within striking distance of qualification for next year's finals in France if they beat the group leaders (19:45 BST kick-off).