Cassap handed first Northern Ireland call-up
Emily Cassap is a former England youth international but has changed allegiance to Northern Ireland
- Published
Former England youth international Emily Cassap has been handed her first senior Northern Ireland call-up for June's World Cup qualifiers with Turkey and Switzerland.
The 19-year-old, who can play in midfield and defence, changed allegiance to Northern Ireland earlier this year.
Cassap, who helped England finish second at the Under-17 Women's Euros in 2024, has also represented Northern Ireland at Under-19 level.
She spent the past season on loan at Middlesbrough from Sunderland, and is one of five changes in Michael McArdle's squad.
Cliftonville defender Fi Morgan has been included for the first time since 2023, while Glentoran midfielder Mia Moore also returns.
Goalkeeper Maddy Harvey-Clifford is back in the squad in place of the injured Abbie Smith, while Kelsie Burrows is named after being a late call-up for April's double-header with Malta.
Versatile wide player Caragh Hamilton and experienced centre back Laura Rafferty are injured.
Northern Ireland travel to Turkey on Friday, 5 June before their final group game at home to Switzerland on 9 June.
McArdle's side have secured a play-off thanks to their double-header with Malta but will now look to retain their place in League B.
"Some of the changes are enforced," McArdle said.
"It's that stage of the season when leagues are coming to an end and if players have been carrying something during the season it can be a bit more difficult to manage at that point."
McArdle also said the competition for places, not only in the team but in the wider squad, is "exciting".
"It's a positive consequence of the transition we're in," he said.
"With a transition it brings opportunity and new faces, and that naturally brings competition.
"That's what we all want, and the players want it too, we all want the strongest squad we can possibly have."
Northern Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Jackie Burns (Bristol City), Lauren Perry (Montrose), Maddy Harvey-Clifford (Cliftonville.
Defenders: Rebecca Holloway (Birmingham City), Rebecca McKenna (Birmingham City), Kelsie Burrows (Cliftonville), Fi Morgan (Cliftonville), Abi Sweetlove (Linfield), Natalie Johnson (Nottingham Forest), Ellie Mason (Charlton), Emily Cassap (Sunderland).
Midfielders: Nadene Caldwell (Glentoran), Aimee Kerr (Glentoran), Mia Moore (Glentoran), Joely Andrews (Hearts), Keri Halliday (Hearts), Brenna McPartlan (Burnley), Megan Bell (Linfield), Danielle Maxwell (Cliftonville).
Forwards: Lauren Wade (Hearts), Casey Howe (Nottingham Forest), Leyla McFarland (Durham), Cora Chambers (Linfield).
