When manager Tanya Oxtoby revealed her Northern Ireland squad for the upcoming Nations League promotion/relegation play-off against Iceland on Friday there were a few headlines.
The absence of captain Simone Magill through a hip injury was the obvious one given her importance to the side.
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But another big talking point is the make-up of the defence, which has gone from having a fairly settled look under Oxtoby to quite the overhaul for this window.
Rewind to this time last year and NI’s defence, and in particular the centre-back position, appeared stacked but injuries and retirements have since robbed Oxtoby of some of her regular picks.
In an ideal world, she would be able to include Rangers’ Laura Rafferty, Charlton’s Ellie Mason and Rachel Dugdale in her squad.
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Rafferty has not played for NI since their 2-0 loss against Poland in the Nations League in February as she continues her recovery from groin surgery.
Mason stepped up in Rafferty’s absence and started NI’s remaining five Nations League games after Poland, either as one of the two or three centre-backs deployed, but she is also out injured this window.
Dugdale started four of NI’s six fixtures in the Nations League, including their final game, a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina in June, as they finished second in Group B1 behind Poland.
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That proved to be the 28-year-old’s 43rd and final cap as she announced her retirement from football last month.
Cliftonville captain Kelsie Burrows, who has often been a late call-up to NI squads due to injuries, made herself unavailable for this window alongside experienced left-back Demi Vance.
The enforced absences have inevitably led to Oxtoby exploring other avenues to address the personnel problems.
