Rachel Furness blow for Northern Ireland ahead of Belfast clash with Girls in Green

Rachel Furness has been ruled out of Northern Ireland's UEFA Nations League clash with the Republic of Ireland in Belfast.

Bristol City boss Lauren Smith confirmed the midfielder has picked up a hamstring injury and is expected to be sidelined for up to a month.

Furness has scored a record 38 goals in 95 appearances for the North and her absence comes as a big blow for the team's remaining Nations League clashes.

Tanya Oxtoby's side are third in the Group B1 table having won only one of their four games so far, which came against Albania in September.

They face the same opposition in Tirana on 1 December before hosting the Girls in Green at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park four days later.

Eighteen-year-old Linfield striker Keri Halliday has earned her first call-up to the senior squad having previously represented the side at youth levels, while Crusaders Strikers goalkeeper Maddy Harvey-Clifford has also been named.

Republic of Ireland interim boss Eileen Gleeson revealed her squad on Thursday, selecting Peamount United's Ellen Dolan for the first time. Ireland have already won the group and earned promotion to League A.