The former Macclesfield Town chief executive officially took over his new role this week wtih the future of the stadium still in doubt.

Nelson said: "I think we all know we have to take the national stadium project forward, and we need to work out the best way to do that."

Northern Ireland's hopes of hosting matches during the Olympic football tournament in 2012 were scuppered when the proposed stadium on the site of the former Maze Prison site were formally dropped in April.

The 38,500-capacity stadium designed by Populous, formerly known as HOK Sport, on the 360-acre former prison site near Lisburn, was to have formed the centrepiece of a mixed-use development on the 146 hecatre site and, if completed in time, would have been a venue for football matches being played in 2012.

But the development, which was also to host football, rugby and Gaelic games, caused a political storm because of the site’s sensitive history and its remote location 10 miles from the city centre.

Critics also wanted it to be built in Belfast.

Nelson said: "I have followed the stadium debate, but this is only my first day in the job.

"Of course we have to look at the history of Windsor Park, but we also have to assess all our options before going forward.

"We have to look at the business cases, and then move forward as an association for the whole of Northern Ireland.

"It is one of the issues that is a priority for both the IFA and myself.

"We have to work out where we go with the project.

"But at 2.45pm on day one of my new job, I haven't had time to read all the documentation and look at all the business cases, but we do need to work a way forward."