Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby says she is happy with where her squad is after making just one change to the panel ahead of their Euro 2025 Play-Off against Norway.
Hearts Kerry Beattie is the only player added to the squad from their victory over Croatia in the previous round having missed out through injury, replacing Crusaders Strikers defender Rachel McLaren.
Oxtoby is still without a cohort of experienced players as she tries to lead her squad to back-to-back European Championships, with Nadene Caldwell, Caragh Hamilton and Lauren Perry still on the sidelines.
Nottingham Forest defender Natalie Johnson retains her place in the squad after returning from a four-year hiatus last time out in what is a fairly settled team for the manager.
Northern Ireland will host the first leg at Inver Park in Larne on Friday February 29 before heading to Oslo on Tuesday December 3, with the winners of the two-legged tie booking their place in Switzerland for next summer’s Finals.
And while she knows her side will be massive underdogs against the star-studded Norwegians, who are 16th in the world rankings compared to Northern Ireland’s 45th, Oxtoby is not overlooking the possibility of causing an upset.
“We are really comfortable and happy with where we are at and we feel this group will give a great account of themselves against a really good Norway side,” she said.
“For me it’s about making sure that we play the game and not the occasion. It’s a double header and anything can happen. We need to remain focused on ourselves and continue to improve in a really high pressure situation.
“This is our moment now to go and enjoy it and test ourselves against one of the best teams in the world.”
NORTHERN IRELAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Jackie Burns (Bristol City Women), Maddy Harvey-Clifford (Crusaders Strikers), Rachael Norney (Liverpool Feds)
Defenders: Rebecca Holloway, Rebecca McKenna and Ellie Mason (all Birmingham City Women), Laura Rafferty (Rangers Women), Rachel Dugdale (Blackburn Rovers Women), Kelsie Burrows (Cliftonville Ladies), Natalie Johnson (Nottingham Forest Women)
Midfielders: Joely Andrews (Hearts Women), Chloe McCarron (Glentoran Women), Louise McDaniel (Cliftonville Ladies), Brenna McPartlan (Burnley Women), Megan Bell (Rangers Women), Connie Scofield (London City Lionesses)
Forwards: Kerry Beattie and Lauren Wade (both Hearts Women), Emily Wilson (Glentoran Women), Simone Magill (Birmingham City Women), Keri Halliday (Linfield Women), Casey Howe (Nottingham Forest Women), Danielle Maxwell (Cliftonville Ladies)