Northern Ireland Women's Football Team

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Press Eye

Northern Ireland are back in Nations League action with a double-header against Romania.

Tanya Oxtoby's side travel to Bucharest on Friday, 4 April, before the sides meet at Windsor Park on Tuesday.

From coverage on BBC iPlayer to the form guide, here's all you need to know before the games.

Who's in and out of the matchday squads?

Northern Ireland will be without key defender Laura Rafferty for the games after the 28-year-old picked up an injury while playing for Rangers.

Glentoran midfielder Chloe McCarron is also missing through injury, while Casey Howe is a long-term absentee.

It is a stable squad for Tanya Oxtoby, with teenager striker Kascie Weir and experienced midfielder Nadene Caldwell retaining their places after being drafted into the panel in February.

The majority of Romania's squad play their football in their domestic league.

One of the few who ply their trade abroad is captain Florentina Olar, who plays for Fortuna Hjorring in Denmark.

The 39-year-old forward has won 180 caps and scored the first of her 24 goals in 2001 - when eight of Northern Ireland's squad weren't even born.

What's the form for both sides been like?

Image source, Press Eye

Northern Ireland have won one and lost one of their opening two fixtures in the Nations League.

Their campaign started with a 2-0 defeat by top seeds Poland in Gdansk as the hosts scored two quickfire goals.

It looked to be another disappointing night against Bosnia-Herzegovina, a side Northern Ireland twice defeated in Euro 2025 qualifying last year, as the visitors led 2-1 in the closing stages at Inver Park.

However, captain Simone Magill stepped up with two late goals to clinch victory for Northern Ireland.

Romania, on the other hand, have lost both of their two fixtures to the same opponents.

A heavy 4-0 defeat in Bosnia was followed by a narrow 1-0 loss at home to Poland.

How can I watch and follow the game?

You can watch both games against Romania on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

The first game on in Romania Friday kicks-off at 17:00 BST, while the return fixture at Windsor Park on Tuesday will begin at 19:00 BST.

Former Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan will be on co-commentary duty alongside Thomas Kane for both matches.

We'll also have a live text commentary of both matches, with in-play clips and highlights on the BBC Sport website after the final whistle.

Image source, Getty Images

Nat Johnson has been called up to the Northern Ireland women's squad for the Nations League double-header against Romania.

The Nottingham Forest full-back replaces injured Rangers defender Laura Rafferty in Tanya Oxtoby's 23-player group.

Johnson, 31, has won three caps for NI, making her debut in a 1-0 win against Croatia in the Euro play-off second leg in October.

Northern Ireland face Romania in Bucharest on Friday, before a home game at Windsor Park against the same opposition on Tuesday, 8 April.

Oxtoby has also included 16-year-old goalkeeper Abbie Smith as a training player as the team prepare at Leicester City's training ground before flying to Romania on Wednesday.

Under-17 international Smith recently signed for Manchester City from Women's Premiership side Crusaders.

Lisburn Rangers 17-year-old goalkeeper Kate Smith will also join up with the squad as a training player next week.

Former England international Izzy Christiansen, as she did last month, has joined the coaching staff as NI target two wins which would keep them in contention for promotion from Group B1.