Women's Nations League: Linfield's Keri Halliday receives first Northern Ireland call-up
- Published
Halliday (right) has impressed for Northern Ireland at U17 and U19 level
Linfield forward Keri Halliday has received her first call-up to the Northern Ireland squad for their Women's Nations League games against Albania and the Republic of Ireland.
Halliday, 18, scored 14 goals for the Blues in the Women's Premiership this season.
She replaces Rachel Furness, who is ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Crusaders goalkeeper Maddy Harvey-Clifford is also included in the 23-player group.
The 21-year old, who has yet to win a first senior cap, is included in a squad selected by Tanya Oxtoby for the first time.
Northern Ireland currently sit third in League B Group 1 after collecting four points from four games.
They face Albania in Tirana on Friday, 1 December before hosting the Republic of Ireland at Windsor Park on Tuesday, 5 December.
The Republic have already secured top spot and promotion to League A of the inaugural Women's Nations League after winning their opening four matches.
There is still no place in the Northern Ireland squad for experienced defender Julie Nelson.
Cliftonville's Caitlin McGuinness and Mid Ulster goalkeeper Lilie Woods are not included after featuring in the squad for the October double-header against Hungary.
Kirsty McGuinness, who withdrew from that squad for personal reasons, also misses out this time.
Northern Ireland women's squad:
Goalkeepers - Shannon Turner (Wolverhampton Wanderers Women), Rachael Norney (Liverpool Feds), Maddy Harvey-Clifford (Crusaders Strikers).
Defenders - Abbie Magee and Kelsie Burrows (both Cliftonville Ladies), Rebecca Holloway (Racing Louisville, USA), Ellie Mason (Birminghbam City Women), Sarah McFadden (Durham Women), Rebecca McKenna (Charlton Athletic Women), Laura Rafferty (Southampton Women), Demi Vance (Glentoran Women).
Midfielders - Joely Andrews, Nadene Caldwell and Chloe McCarron (all Glentoran Women), Megan Bell (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 (Cliftonville Ladies), Keri Halliday (Linfield Women).