Lisburn Rangers Ladies goalkeeper Kate Smith has been called in to Tanya Oxtoby’s senior women’s squad for the upcoming UEFA Women's Nations League double header against Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Smith (18) earns her first full call-up and replaces Maddy Harvey-Clifford who has withdrawn from the squad through injury.
Oxtoby said: “Kate is a young player we’ve been monitoring for some time. She equipped herself well when she joined the squad as a training player during our last camp and deserves her place for these two games.”
The Northern Ireland squad convened at their training base in Leicester today where they’ll train before final preparations take place back in Belfast for Friday’s UWNL League B Group 1 game against Poland at Seaview (7pm).
The senior women's team boss added: “It’s great to get the players together again. There is an optimistic mood about the place.
"We know we need to put the work in here over the next few days to prepare ourselves for the games against two quality teams in Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The players are all eager to play in front of the Green and White Army and we know how important they can be in helping us deliver a positive performance.”
Oxtoby welcomed back experienced Rangers Women defender Laura Rafferty and record goalscorer Rachel Furness from Newcastle United Women to the 24-strong squad.
Tickets are still available for the game against Poland at irishfa.com/tickets.
