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Gareth Fullerton

Northern Ireland squad announced for World Cup qualifiers

Kenny Shiels has named his Northern Ireland squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers.

Three players who missed out on this summer's Euros return to Shiels' panel. Toni-Leigh Finnegan, Kerry Beattie and Lilie Woods have all been included for the games against Luxembourg and Latvia.

All three were part of Shiels' Euros training squad but missed the cut for the finals in England.

Read more : Furness taking break from international football "for foreseeable future"

There is also one new face in Northern Ireland's squad, midfielder Ellie Mason who plays for Lewes in the FA Women’s Championship.

The 26-year-old, who was born in England, played for Gibraltar in a couple of friendlies earlier this year, however she has now switched her allegiance. She is eligible to play for Northern Ireland through her maternal grandfather who was born in Ballymena.

Mason had spells with Watford (twice), Chelsea, Millwall Lionesses, Yeovil Town and London City Lionesses before signing for Lewes last summer.

Meanwhile, four players who were part of last month's Euros squad are not included this time.

Linfield Ladies defender Ashley Hutton announced her retirement from international football after the Euros, while Liverpool midfielder Rachel Furness has asked not to be included for personal reasons.

Aston Villa striker Simone Magill is a long-term absentee after damaging her knee in the opening group match at the tournament, while goalkeeper Becky Flaherty also misses out.

Northern Ireland play Luxembourg on Friday, September 2 at Stade Émile Mayrisch in Esch-sur-Alzette before taking on Latvia at the Daugava National Stadium in Riga on Tuesday, September 6.

They are the final two games in Northern Ireland’s FIFA World Cup 2023 qualification campaign, with Shiels' side already out of contention for qualification to the finals in Australia and New Zealand.

Squad

  • Goalkeepers : Jackie Burns (Reading Women), Shannon Turner (Wolverhampton Wanderers Women), Lilie Woods (Mid Ulster Ladies).
  • Defenders : Kelsie Burrows (Cliftonville Ladies), Rebecca Holloway (Racing Louisville), Abbie Magee (Cliftonville Ladies), Sarah McFadden (Durham Women), Rebecca McKenna (Lewes Women), Julie Nelson (Crusaders Strikers), Laura Rafferty (Southampton Women), Demi Vance (unattached), Toni-Leigh Finnegan (Cliftonville Ladies).
  • Midfielders : Nadene Caldwell (Glentoran Women), Joely Andrews (Glentoran Women), Chloe McCarron (Glentoran Women), Marissa Callaghan (Cliftonville Ladies), Louise McDaniel (Cliftonville Ladies), Ellie Mason (Lewes Women).
  • Forwards : Caitlin McGuinness (Cliftonville Ladies), Kirsty McGuinness (Cliftonville Ladies), Lauren Wade (Reading Women), Emily Wilson (Crusaders Strikers), Kerry Beattie (Glentoran Women).

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