SAINTS star Laura Rafferty has been selected for the upcoming European Championship.

Rafferty has been named as part of the 23-player Northern Ireland squad for this summer's tournament, which gets underway next week.

The 26-year-old featured for Kenny Shiels's side last week, scoring an own goal in the 4-1 defeat to Belgium, Northern Ireland's final warm-up friendly.

All three of Northern Ireland's group fixtures will be played at St Mary's Stadium, starting against Norway on Thursday, July 7.

The Green and White Army then face Austria (July 11) before a clash against England on July 15 to round off the group campaign.

Former WSL ace Rafferty, born in Southampton, played a key role in Saints clinching promotion to the Championship last season.

Rafferty's Saints teammate Ciara Watling missed out on the squad.

Goalkeepers: Jackie Burns (BK Hacken), Becky Flaherty (Brighouse Town), Shannon Turner (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

Defenders: Kelsie Burrows (Cliftonville), Rebecca Holloway (Racing Louisville), Ashley Hutton (Linfield), Abbie Magee (Cliftonville), Sarah McFadden (Durham), Rebecca McKenna (Lewes), Julie Nelson (Crusaders Strikers), Laura Rafferty (Saints), Demi Vance (Rangers).

Midfielders: Nadene Caldwell (Glentoran), Joely Andrews (Glentoran), Chloe McCarron (Glentoran), Marissa Callaghan (Cliftonville), Louise McDaniel (Cliftonville), Rachel Furness (Liverpool).

Forwards: Simone Magill (unattached), Caitlin McGuinness (Cliftonvillle), Kirsty McGuinness (Cliftonville), Lauren Wade (Glentoran), Emily Wilson (Crusaders Strikers).

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