Experienced Rangers defender Laura Rafferty is part of new interim manager Kris Lindsay’s first Northern Ireland squad for the opening 2027 World Cup qualifiers.
Northern Ireland will travel to face Switzerland on Tuesday, 3 March, before welcoming Turkey to Mourneview Park four days later.
Rafferty, 29, missed the Nations League play-off against Iceland through injury and returned to action in December.
Lindsay will take charge of the side for at least the first pair of 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifiers in March as the search for Tanya Oxtoby’s permanent successor continues.
The former Glenavon and Dungannon Swifts manager has made five changes to the squad which lost to Iceland in the play-off with Rafferty returning in defence alongside Charlton Athletic’s Ellie Mason.
Brenna McPartlan is also available and is among the options in midfield after returning to the squad during Oxtoby’s tenure following a seven-year absence.
Montrose goalkeeper Lauren Perry is also named with 17-year-old Abbie Smith, who is currently on a scholarship at Manchester City.
“It is really good to have Laura [Rafferty] back, Ellie Mason and Brenna [McPartlan] after injury. Those three players have a lot of experience and will bring a lot to the group,” Lindsay said after the announcement.
“I am really looking forward to getting to work with them and the rest of the players.
“If you look at the squad there is quite a good mix of those with experience and a number of young and upcoming very talented players.”
Northern Ireland captain Simone Magill will miss the qualifiers after announcing she was pregnant in November.
Glentoran striker Emily Wilson and Hearts midfielder Joely Andrews also both drop out of the squad through injury, while Aberdeen duo Toni-Leigh Finnegan and Kerry Beattie are not included.
Goalkeepers Maddy Harvey-Clifford and Katie Smith, who play for Crusaders and Lisburn Rangers, are also not involved in the 23-player panel.
