The Republic of Ireland will step up their preparations for their UEFA WU17 European Championship Round 2 qualifiers by facing Switzerland in two international friendly games.

Having topped their group in the Qualifying Round last year, Ireland will be keen to regain that momentum and a trip to the Oliva Nova Complex in Valencia, Spain should help with that.

Head Coach James Scott gives a first call-up to midfielder Sophie Morrin, who is with Liverpool, while a number of players who featured for the Ireland Women’s Under-16s against Portugal last month are included.

Scott knows that everything is geared towards their qualifying games against Slovakia, Finland and Iceland later in the month, but this double-header should get them back to the required speed.

Republic of Ireland WU17 Squad
Goalkeepers: Summer Lawless (Peamount United), Claudia Keenan (Wexford Youths)
Defenders: Meabh Russell (Wexford Youths), Kate Thompson, Eve Dossen (Galway WFC), Heidi Macken (Cork City), Aoibhe Fleming, Tara O’Hanlon (Peamount United)
Midifelders: Jodie Loughrey (Donegal Women’s League), Aoife Kelly (St Patrick’s, Carlow), Orlaith O’Mahony (Shamrock Rovers), Michaela Lawrence (Treaty United), Sophie Morrin (Liverpool)
Forwards: Joy Ralph (DLR Waves), Katie McCarn, Lia O’Leary (Shelbourne), Katie Law (Wexford Youths), Heidi O’Sullivan (Treaty United), Keri Loughrey (Donegal Women’s League), Chloe Atkinson (Cork City)

Fixtures
22 February | Switzerland v Republic of Ireland, Oliva Nova, KO 12:00
24 February | Switzerland v Republic of Ireland, Oliva Nova, KO 15:30