Women’s Nations League: 16-year-old Abbie Smith gets first Northern Ireland call-up

Defender Laura Rafferty is back in the Northern Ireland squad for the forthcoming Nations League double-header against Poland and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The experienced Rangers centre-back missed last month’s 1-1 draw away to Romania, and the 1-0 win over the same opposition, through injury.

Rafferty is named in a 24-strong squad which also includes veteran Newcastle United attacking midfielder Rachel Furness, who received a late call-up for the League B Group 1 encounter against the Romanians at Windsor Park in April.

Northern Ireland’s record goalscorer, capped 96 times, was returning to the squad for the first time in 18 months.

Sixteen-year-old goalkeeper Abbie Smith has been named in the senior squad for the first time after joining Manchester City on a two-year scholarship from Crusaders Strikers in March.

The teenager was brought in to train with the squad last month but is now officially part of the panel.

Linfield defender Abi Sweetlove and Glentoran midfielder Aimee Kerr also retain their places in the squad, with Rachel Dugdale and Megan Bell returning after missing the second of the two matches against Romania through injury.

Uncapped Kerr, who turns 18 later this month, received her first senior call-up in April.

Kelsie Burrows is out with an ankle injury sustained while playing for Cliftonville while Glentoran midfielder Chloe McCarron and Nottingham Forest Women striker Casey Howe both remain unavailable as they continue to recover from injuries.

Northern Ireland will play unbeaten group leaders Poland at Seaview in Belfast on Friday, 30 May and then travel to Zenica to face third-placed Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday, 3 June.

Tanya Oxtoby’s side trail the Poles by three points in Group B1 with two matches remaining.