Changes to Northern Ireland squad for Women’s Euro 2025 play-offs | OneFootball

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Northern Ireland head coach Tanya Oxtoby has rung the changes in her squad for this month’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 play-off games against Croatia.

Four of the six changes have resulted from injuries to players, while a couple of other players have missed out this time.

Rangers midfielder Megan Bell, London City Lionesses midfielder Connie Scofield and Birmingham City defender Ellie Mason all return after missing the last international double header in July through injury.

Back after a four-year hiatus is Nottingham Forest defender Natalie Johnson, the 30-year-old is yet to earn a senior cap, although she has been an unused substitute on five occasions.

Also back in the fold is Crusaders Strikers defender Rachel McLaren, who has one senior cap to date.

Another returnee is Rachael Norney. The Liverpool Feds keeper, who has one cap and was last in the squad in December 2023.

Missing out through injury are Montrose goalkeeper Lauren Perry, Glentoran midfielder Nadene Caldwell, Nottingham Forest midfielder Caragh Hamilton and Hearts striker Kerry Beattie.

Also not included this time are Cliftonville midfielder Marissa Callaghan and Glentoran defender Demi Vance.

Oxtoby told irishfa.com: “We have a rigorous selection process that we follow ahead of each camp and I have chosen a group of players for this camp that I feel can give us the best chance of winning this play-off. It is an exciting team and an exciting time and the squad is ready to go.

“The conversations I have had with the players not selected on this occasion will remain private and confidential which is aligned to the values of this group.

“Every player in the squad and on the standby list has a role to play and the door is always open.”

Oxtoby’s team take on Croatia at the Stadion Varteks in Varazdin next Friday (25 October; 5pm BST start) before meeting them again at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park on Tuesday 29 October (7pm).

If Northern Ireland defeat the Croatians in the two-legged contest they will face the winners of the tie between Norway and Albania, home and away in a play-off for a slot at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 in Switzerland.

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