Defender Rachel Dugdale and goalkeeper Lauren Perry are back in the Northern Ireland squad for the upcoming UEFA Women’s Nations League play-off matches against Montenegro.
The pair, who have not been involved in the senior international set-up in recent years, are among three changes to the panel chosen for the final two Nations League group stage matches back in December.
This month’s play-off games will see Northern Ireland take on Montenegro at the Gradski Stadion in Podgorica on Friday 23 February (1pm start UK time) followed by the return leg at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park on Tuesday 27 February (7pm).
The overall winner will be in League B in the European Qualifiers phase of the Women’s Nations League this year, while the losing team will be in League C.
Senior women’s team manager Tanya Oxtoby has chosen a 23-strong panel for the two play-off matches.
Defender Dugdale (nee Newborough) has not featured in a Northern Ireland squad since September 2020 when she was an unused substitute in a Euro 2022 qualifier against the Faroe Islands.
The 27-year-old, who has earned 24 senior caps to date, currently plays for Reading in the Women’s Championship in England.
Goalkeeper Perry made her senior international debut at the age of 16 and went on to earn five caps between 2017 and 2018, however she did not make any appearances under previous Northern Ireland senior women’s team manager Kenny Shiels despite being involved in training camps.
The 22-year-old moved to Montrose Women from Scottish Women’s Premier League rivals Dundee United Women last summer.
The former Linfield Ladies, Blackburn Rovers Women and Forfar Farmington player has had to overcome a couple of knee injuries and a loss of form in recent years, but she is now enjoying life in Scotland.
Also returning to the fold is Cliftonville Ladies defender Kelsie Burrows, who missed the UWNL games against Albania and Republic of Ireland in December due to work commitments.
Retaining her place in the panel is Linfield Women striker Keri Halliday, who received her first senior call-up back in December.
Dropping out of the squad this time are Liverpool Feds goalkeeper Rachael Norney, Cliftonville Ladies defender Abbie Magee and Crusaders Strikers defender Rachel McLaren.
Goalkeepers - Shannon Turner (Wolverhampton Wanderers Women), Maddy Harvey-Clifford (Crusaders Strikers), Lauren Perry (Montrose Women).
Defenders - Rebecca Holloway and Ellie Mason (both Birmingham City Women), Sarah McFadden (Durham Women), Rebecca McKenna (Charlton Athletic Women), Laura Rafferty (Southampton Women), Demi Vance (Glentoran Women), Kelsie Burrows (Cliftonville Ladies), Rachel Dugdale (Reading Women).
Midfielders - Joely Andrews, Nadene Caldwell and Chloe McCarron (all Glentoran Women), Megan Bell (Hearts Women, on loan from Rangers Women), Marissa Callaghan (Cliftonville Ladies), Caragh Hamilton (Lewes Women).
Forwards: Kerry Beattie and Emily Wilson (both Glentoran Women), Simone Magill (Aston Villa Women), Lauren Wade (Reading Women), Danielle Maxwell (Blackburn Rovers Women), Keri Halliday (Linfield Women).
See Northern Ireland take on Montenegro at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park on 27 February for the UEFA Women's Nations League play-off. Get 25% off your tickets with our midterm offer from 12-19 February. Visit www.irishfa.com/tickets for more information.
