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.<\/p>\n
The absence of captain Simone Magill through a hip injury was the obvious one given her importance to the side.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In an ideal world, she would be able to include Rangers’ Laura Rafferty, Charlton’s Ellie Mason and Rachel Dugdale in her squad.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The enforced absences have inevitably led to Oxtoby exploring other avenues to address the personnel problems.<\/p>\n
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