Northern Ireland’s Nadene Caldwell said the side has to get “comfortable with being uncomfortable” as they prepare to face Iceland in their promotion/relegation play-off against Iceland.
NI are aiming to reach League A for the first time since the introduction of the Nations League in 2023.
They are up against an Iceland side that qualified for Euro 2025 and are ranked 27 places higher than NI.
“They’re a top side, they are in League A for a reason, and we know we are going to be up against it and we’re going to have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, we have worked on that, and we are prepared for it,” Caldwell told BBC Sport NI’s Nicola McCarthy.
With Oxtoby missing a host of experienced centre-backs, Caldwell – a midfielder by trade – is braced to fill in once again in the heart of the defence as she has done on numerous occasions for her country.
“It can be a bit of a curse sometimes but I’m just happy to play wherever the team needs me.
“Sometimes international football can throw these hiccups along the way and it is how we adjust and react. We still have to put up a good performance regardless.”
