Q Radio Sport
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels will be without Everton striker Simone Magill for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 qualifier against England on Saturday.
Shiels revealed on Monday Magill will not be available to play in the game at Wembley Stadium due to a family bereavement.
However, he is hopeful that the striker, 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 in Belfast.
There is also a major injury concern over Rebecca Holloway. He 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.
Everton striker Simone Magill
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.
Apart from that Shiels has a clean bill of health in his squad ahead of the crunch European Qualifying Group D games.
The Northern Ireland boss further revealed he expects to bring in a couple of players as cover for those members of his squad who may miss the matches against England and Austria, the first and second seeds in the group respectively.
No surprises in Tuesday night's County Antrim Shield quarter-finals.
Holders Larne had a 4-0 win at Ballymena.
Cliftonville fought back from 2-0 to complete a 4-2 victory over Bangor at Solitude.
And Linfield beat Dundela 6-1 at Windsor Park with Niall Quinn hitting a hat-trick.
FT: Co. Antrim Shield QFs
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) October 19, 2021
Ballymena 0-4 Larne
Linfield 6-1 Dundela
Cliftonville 4-2 Bangor
Ballyclare v Crusaders postponed due to Covid-19