The IFA is unhappy after Leicester pulled out Lennon and Taggart and West Ham withdrew Lomas, claiming all three have injuries and cannot play in the game at Windsor Park.

The IFA is prepared to use FIFA regulations and has told Leicester and West Ham that the players must be sent to Belfast to be checked by Northern Ireland team's doctor.

Otherwise the IFA will block the trio from playing for their clubs at the weekend.

FIFA rules state that national associations have the right to bar a player, who withdraws from a squad, from playing for his club for up to five days after an international.

IFA general secretary David Bowen said: 'We have asked the clubs to send their players over for medical examinations in accordance with FIFA regulations.

'If they are injured they will be sent back immediately, but if they fail to agree to our request we will ensure that the players are not available for Saturday.'

Leicester boss Peter Taylor maintains Lennon and Taggart are not fit.

He said: 'If these are the rules then we will go along with them, but the fact is the players are injured."

West Ham physio John Green also claimed there was no way Lomas, who has tendinitis trouble, could play.

'Steve is injured, there's no doubt about that,' he said. 'When they hear the full story I think they will be reluctant to call the player over.'