Women’s Nations League: Teenage goalkeeper Smith replaces injured Harvey-Clifford in NI squad

Teenage Lisburn Rangers goalkeeper Kate Smith has been called into the Northern Ireland squad for the forthcoming Women’s Nations League matches against Poland and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

It is a first senior international call-up for Smith, 18, who replaces Crusaders stopper Maddy Harvey-Clifford, who has withdrawn through injury.

Northern Ireland will host unbeaten group leaders Poland at Seaview on Friday (19:00 BST), followed by a trip to Zenica to face third-placed Bosnia-Herzegovina four days later (18:00 BST).

“Kate is a young player we’ve been monitoring for some time. She equipped herself well when she joined the squad as a training player during our last camp and deserves her place for these two games,” said Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby.

The Northern Ireland squad gathered at their training base in Leicester on Monday, where they will train before final preparations take place in Belfast for the League B Group 1 encounter.

Oxtoby added: “It’s great to get the players together again. There is an optimistic mood about the place.

“We know we need to put the work in here over the next few days to prepare ourselves for the games against two quality teams in Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“The players are all eager to play in front of the ‘Green and White Army’ and we know how important they can be in helping us deliver a positive performance.”

Northern Ireland trail the Poles by three points in their group with two matches remaining.