Hamilton returns to NI squad for Nations League

Caragh Hamilton returned to action after recovering from a hamstring injury

Nottingham Forest winger Caragh Hamilton has been named in Northern Ireland's squad for February's Nations League openers.

Hamilton missed NI's Euro 2025 play-off defeat by Norway in November with a hamstring injury.

The 28-year-old replaces Forest team-mate Casey Howe, who has been sidelined with an injury since the autumn.

"It's great to have her back she has worked really hard over the last few months to get herself back into contention," said NI boss Tanya Oxtoby said.

"I'm gutted for Casey due to her injury, but Caragh is the ultimate professional, she is going to add a lot of versatility to the squad, but also keeps the standards nice and high."

Oxtoby's side begin their Nations League campaign away to Poland, on Friday, 21 February and are then at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina four days later.

Romania are the fourth side in League B1 and face NI in April's double-header.

It is a settled squad for Oxtoby, with Hamilton the sole addition for Northern Ireland's first fixtures of 2025.

Danielle Maxwell and Louise McDaniel have both been included after moving from Cliftonville to Burnley in the January window.

Ellie Mason is one of four Birmingham City players named after winning the Championship's player of the month and goal of the month for January.

Rebecca Holloway, Rebecca McKenna and captain Simone Magill are the other Blues players named by Oxtoby.

Midfielder Connie Scofield and striker Kerry Beattie are also included in the 23-strong squad after loan moves to Sheffield United and Aberdeen.

Northern Ireland open their campaign, which is linked to 2027 World Cup qualifying, in Gdansk on 21 February before facing Bosnia-Herzegovina, who NI defeated in Euro 2025 qualifying, at Inver Park in Larne on Tuesday, 25 February.

"We're excited for the campaign, we know Poland first up, away, is going to be a great test for us, they are in great form with going to the Euros," Oxtoby added.

"We played Bosnia twice last year and beat them twice, so it gives the group confidence, but those games don't matter if you don't go out and perform now."

Northern Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Jackie Burns (Bristol City), Maddy Harvey-Clifford (Crusaders Strikers), Rachael Norney (Liverpool Feds).

Defenders: Rebecca Holloway (Birmingham City), Rebecca McKenna (Birmingham City), Ellie Mason (Birmingham City), Laura Rafferty (Rangers), Rachel Dugdale (Blackburn Rovers), Kelsie Burrows (Cliftonville Ladies), Natalie Johnson (Nottingham Forest).

Midfielders: Joely Andrews (Hearts), Chloe McCarron (Glentoran), Louise McDaniel (Burnley), Brenna McPartlan (Burnley), Megan Bell (Nottingham Forest), Connie Scofield (Sheffield United - on loan from London City Lionesses).

Forwards: Simone Magill (Birmingham City), Kerry Beattie (Aberdeen - on loan from Hearts), Lauren Wade (Hearts), Emily Wilson (Glentoran), Keri Halliday (Linfield), Caragh Hamilton (Nottingham Forest), Danielle Maxwell (Burnley).

Northern Ireland Nations League fixtures

League B1

Poland v Northern Ireland (Friday, 21 February - Gdansk)

Northern Ireland v Bosnia-Herzegovina (Tuesday, 25 February - Larne)

Romania v Northern Ireland (Friday, 4 April)

Northern Ireland v Romania (Tuesday, 8 April)

Northern Ireland v Poland (Monday, 30 May)

Bosnia-Herzegovina v Northern Ireland (Thursday, 3 June)