Laura Rafferty recalled to Northern Ireland squad for Euro 2022 playoff against Ukraine

 

The player who's on loan to Bristol City from Brighton & Hove Albion comes back into Kenny Shiels squad after a long-term injury.

 

Rafferty who will turn 25 later this month has won 27 caps for her country - the last of those coming against the Republic of Ireland in 2018.

 

Northern Ireland will take on Ukraine in the first leg on the 9 April before hosting the second leg on Tuesday 13 at Seaview. 

 

Emma McMaster of Glentoran Women who can play as a defender or as a midfielder also makes it into the squad - like Rafferty she has also just returned from injury. 

 

McMaster, who starred for Northern Ireland at youth level, has been capped six times and is now fully recovered after having surgery last September.

 

Kirsty McGuinness, Kerry Beattie and Danielle Maxwell have also been drafted back into the squad after missing out on February's trip to face England at St George's Park. 

 

Rebecca Holloway of Birmingham City keeps her place in Shiels selection after making her debut against England last time out. 

 

The squad however are without some key players with new Glentoran Women signing Lauren Wade missing out with an ankle injury while Rangers Women duo Megan Bell and Demi Vance are also out with long term injuries. 

 

Abbie Magee who put in a player of the match performance against England by marking Manchester City star Lauren Hemp so well is also unavailable with a knee injury and Caitlin McGuinness is also unavailable. 

 

Goalkeeper Maddy Harvey-Clifford, Ella Haughey and Casey Howe who travelled to St George's Park drop out of the squad this time around. 

 

Northern Ireland reached their first play-off for a major tournament when they pipped Wales to finish runners-up behind Norway in Qualifying Group C thanks to four wins, two draws and two defeats.

 

Shiels says that his side "will give everything they have against the Ukrainians" to make sure they are playing in next summers tournament in England. 

 

He is also concerned at the “array of talent” not in the squad either through injury or being unavailable due to work commitments. They include Lauren Wade, Demi Vance, Megan Bell, Caragh Milligan, Abbie Magee and Caitlin McGuinness.

 

However, Shiels insists the members of the panel at his disposal want to reach the Women’s Euros and he promised: “Myself and my backroom team will make sure they are ready and prepared to win games.”  

 

He added: “The players are enthusiastic and they have the belief and the ability to succeed. They will be ready to give everything they have.”

 

Goalkeepers: Jackie Burns (Glentoran Women), Becky Flaherty (Sheffield United Women).

 

Defenders: Ashley Hutton and Kelsie Burrows (both Linfield Ladies), Toni-Leigh Finnegan (Cliftonville Ladies), Julie Nelson (Crusaders Strikers), Rebecca Holloway (Birmingham City Women), Laura Rafferty (Bristol City Women), Emma McMaster (Glentoran Women).

 

Midfielders: Nadene Caldwell, Samantha Kelly (both Glentoran Women), Marissa Callaghan (Cliftonville Ladies), Rachel Furness (Liverpool Ladies), Chloe McCarron (Birmingham City Women), Sarah McFadden (Durham Ladies), Ciara Watling (Charlton Athletic Women), Rebecca McKenna (Linfield Ladies), Louise McDaniel (Unattached).

 

Forwards: Kerry Beattie and Danielle Maxwell (both Glentoran Women), Simone Magill (Everton Women), Emily Wilson (Crusaders Strikers), Kirsty McGuinness (Sion Swifts Ladies).