Euro 2025: Maxwell returns to Northern Ireland squad for Portugal double header

Daniell Maxwell returns to the Northern Ireland Women’s squad for the upcoming Euro qualifying doube-headers against Portugal.

Maxwell comes back into the squad after retruning to the North Belfast club following a move to Blackburn Rovers. Her Reds team-mate Kelie Burrows has also been included this time.

Manager Tanya Oxtoby has chosen a 23-strong panel for the matches against the Portuguese at Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on May 31st and at Mourneview Park in Lurgan on June 4th.

Burrows and Maxwell return to the squad after missing the opening two games in the league phase of qualifiers for UEFA Women’s Euro 2025.

Portugal are the top seeds in League B Group 3, while Northern Ireland are the third seeds.

Oxtoby said: “Make no mistake, this is going to be a real challenge for us against a very good side.

“We are a team in transition with a lot of youth coming through and these two fixtures will really test us.

“Results are, of course, important but a good performance against a strong side like Portugal will stand us in good stead and give the team a lot of confidence. And in a high performing environment, confidence can be crucial.”

Northern Ireland registered a 0-0 home draw with Malta and a 3-1 away win against second seeds Bosnia and Herzegovina last month as they got their B3 campaign under way.

Missing out in the upcoming window is London City Lionesses midfielder Connie Scofield, who made her debut against Malta but then missed the second game in April through injury, and Cliftonville midfielder Louise McDaniel, who replaced Scofield in the panel for the Bosnia game.

Also not included this time around are Cliftonville defender Abbie Magee and Crusaders Strikers defender Rachel McLaren.

Reading goalkeeper Jackie Burns, who returned for last month’s games after recovering from achilles and shoulder injuries which kept her out of action last year, retains her place in the panel.

Also included once again is Burnley midfielder Brenna McPartlan, who returned to the senior squad in April seven years after making her debut as a teenager in a friendly against Wales. She earned her second cap against the Bosnians.

Athlone Town striker Casey Howe, who came off the subs bench in the game against the Bosnians after missing the Malta game through illness, retains her place in the panel as well.

Glentoran striker Emily Wilson, who was a late addition to the squad in April after shaking off an injury, is in the panel for the upcoming games, too.

However, Birmingham City's Ellie Mason is still unavailable. She is recovering from a foot injury picked up in a club training session back in March.

The Northern Ireland squad for the games against Portugal:

Goalkeepers: Jackie Burns (Reading), Maddy Harvey-Clifford (Crusaders Strikers), Lauren Perry (Montrose)

Defenders: Rebecca Holloway (Birmingham City), Rebecca McKenna (Charlton Athletic Women), Laura Rafferty (Southampton), Demi Vance (Glentoran), Rachel Dugdale (Reading), Kelsie Burrows (Cliftonville)

Midfielders: Joely Andrews, Nadene Caldwell and Chloe McCarron (all Glentoran), Megan Bell (Hearts, on loany from Rangers), Marissa Callaghan (Cliftonville), Brenna McPartlan (Burnle)

Forwards: Kerry Beattie and Emily Wilson (both Glentoran), Simone Magill (Aston Villa), Lauren Wade (Reading), Keri Halliday (Linfield), Casey Howe (Athlone Town), Caragh Hamilton (Lewes), Danielle Maxwell (Cliftonville)