Women's Nations League: Julie Nelson not included for NI as Tyler Toland returns for Republic
- Published
Nelson scored NI's only goal at a major finals when she netted in the Euros last summer
Experienced defender Julie Nelson has not been included in new Northern Ireland boss Tanya Oxtoby's first squad after recovering from a long-term injury.
Nelson, 38, is on a standby list for the opening double-header of the inaugural Nations League against the Republic of Ireland and Albania.
Laura Rafferty and Ellie Mason have returned to the Northern Ireland panel.
Tyler Toland is back for the Republic for the first time in four years.
The Blackburn Rovers midfielder has been selected by interim Republic manager Eileen Gleeson having not played for her country since 2019 after a fall-out with previous manager Vera Pauw.
Oxtoby, announced as Kenny Shiels' replacement as NI manager earlier this month, has also selected Kirsty McGuinness after the Cliftonville forward missed the last camp through injury.
McGuinness, Rafferty and Mason replace Cliftonville trio Kelsie Burrows, Fi Morgan and Danielle Maxwell.
Nelson is Northern Ireland's record appearance-maker and recently battled back from a long-term injury to play the last few matches for club side Crusaders Strikers.
Rafferty made Northern Ireland's Euro 2022 squad, but has not featured in squads since last summer's tournament while Mason last played for Northern Ireland in their 4-1 friendly defeat against Wales in April.
Northern Ireland are in League B for the first-ever women's Nations League campaign, facing the Republic at the Aviva on Saturday 23 September and Albania on Tuesday 26 September at Seaview.
They are two of six Group B1 games they will play home and away between now and the end of the year, with Hungary completing the four-team group.
Toland has not played for her country since 2019 after a fall-out with Vera Pauw
The Republic, meanwhile, take on Hungary after they host Northern Ireland in Dublin.
There are a number of changes to the Republic squad that was selected for the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in the summer, with 25 players picked.
Long-serving Aine O'Gorman and Harriet Scott retired from international football after the tournament, whilst injury also rules out Niamh Fahey and Sinead Farrelly, who started all three group games as the the Republic exited at the group stage.
Ciara Grant and Izzy Atkinson miss out on selection after being picked for the World Cup.
Defenders Savannah McCarthy, Hayley Nolan and Eabha O'Mahony are recalled along with midfielder Jamie Finn, who was on the World Cup standby list, and forwards Saoirse Noonan and Emily Whelan.
Long-term injuries continue to rule out Megan Campbell, Aoife Mannion and Leanne Kiernan.
Northern Ireland squad:
Goalkeepers: Rachael Norney (Cliftonville Ladies), Shannon Turner (Wolverhampton Wanderers Women), Lilie Woods (Mid Ulster Ladies).
Defenders: Rebecca Holloway (Racing Louisville, USA), Abbie Magee (Cliftonville Ladies), Ellie Mason (Birmingham City Women), Sarah McFadden (Durham Women), Rebecca McKenna (Charlton Athletic Women), Laura Rafferty (Southampton Women), Demi Vance (Glentoran Women).
Midfielders: Joely Andrews (Glentoran Women), Megan Bell (Rangers Women), Nadene Caldwell (Glentoran Women), Marissa Callaghan (Cliftonville Ladies), Rachel Furness (Bristol City Women), Caragh Hamilton (Lewes), Chloe McCarron (Glentoran Women).
Forwards: Kerry Beattie (Glentoran Women), Simone Magill (Aston Villa Women), Caitlin McGuinness (Cliftonville Ladies), Kirsty McGuinness (Cliftonville Ladies), Lauren Wade (Reading Women), Emily Wilson (Glentoran Women).
Republic of Ireland squad:
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Megan Walsh (West Ham United)
Defenders: Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Claire O'Riordan (Standard Liege), Savannah McCarthy (Shamrock Rovers), Éabha O'Mahony (University of Texas), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Ruesha Littlejohn (London City Lionesses), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Jamie Finn (Birmingham City), Megan Connolly (Bristol City), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Heather Payne (Everton), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit)
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Abbie Larkin (Glasgow City), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Saoirse Noonan (Durham WFC), Emily Whelan (Glasgow City)