Kenny Shiels without talismanic Simone Magill for crunch Euro 2022 qualifiers

Magill has suffered a recurrence of a previous injury and is not available for selection, while also missing out this time is Sheffield United Women defender Natalie Johnson.

Manager Kenny Shiels named a 23-strong squad for the Belarus (November 27) and Faroe Islands (December 1) games, when a victory at Seaview next Friday would be enough to earn his side a play-off for a place at Women’s Euro 2022.

Among four new faces in an expanded squad are experienced Charlton Athletic Women midfielder Ciara Watling, who returns to the panel after a lengthy sojourn, and young in-form Crusaders Strikers forward Emily Wilson.

Cliftonville Ladies defender Toni-Leigh Finnegan and Glentoran Women striker Kerry Beattie are back in the fold as well.

Finnegan and Beattie were both in the squad back in September when Shiels masterminded a 6-0 win against the Faroese in Qualifying Group C but were not included in the panel for last month’s encounter against Belarus in Minsk.

Northern Ireland won that game 1-0 despite playing with 10 players for most of the match after goalkeeper Jackie Burns was red-carded.

Rangers Women midfielder Megan Bell and Glentoran Women defender/midfielder Emma McMaster both remain out with long term injuries.

Sisters Kirsty and Caitlin McGuinness, who play for Sion Swifts Ladies, have retained their places in the squad. If they appear on the pitch together in either match they will make history.

They would become the first pair of sisters to play for Northern Ireland in the same game.

Shiels’ side were originally meant to play at home against Belarus in Group C back in June, but that match and the home game against the Faroe Islands were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

If they win the two rearranged fixtures then Northern Ireland will compete for a place at Women’s Euro 2022, which is being staged in England.