Women's World Cup: striker Magill unavailable for Northern Ireland
Simone Magill is set to miss Northern Ireland Women's World Cup qualifier with England at Wembley.
The influential Everton striker has been ruled out due to a family bereavement.
However, manager Kenny Shiels is hopeful that Magill, who was absent for the qualifiers against Luxembourg and Latvia in September due to injury, will be available for next week’s World Cup qualifier against Austria Women in Belfast.
In addition there is a major injury concern over Rebecca Holloway.
Shiels said the Birmingham City Women defender has “only an extremely slim chance” of playing at Wembley this weekend. Magill and Holloway are the only players in the Northern Ireland squad who play in the FA’s Women’s Super League.
Also carrying a knock is Crusaders Strikers forward Emily Wilson, who came on as a second half substitute for her club in the Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup Final on Friday.
Wilson had been receiving treatment on an injury prior to the final against Glentoran Women and it appears the injury may have been aggravated, however Shiels said there is “a possibility” the young striker may be available for the trip to London.