Russia face Portugal on 7 June and seem keen to fit in a trip to Belfast after that to make a Group F double header.Negotiations will not take place until after Northern Ireland's match against Israel on Tuesday. But the Irish Football Association is against scheduling the game several weeks after the end of the British season, when NI players will have been out of full-time training and may have holidays booked.If we play on one of the international dates in June that could be four to six weeks since the players were in regular football - well into their summer break. That would not be ideal.An international date also exists on 14 August, but Russia have already agreed to face Argentina in a friendly.August is also an option but it would mean Russia cancelling their planned friendly with Argentina and I am not sure they would be willing to do that.Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has suggested slotting in a fixture at the end of May, but the most likely date in that window - 31 May - falls the day before key man Jonny Evans' wedding.
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