Hege Riise, England Women’s interim head coach, has named a youthful 20-player squad and omitted several senior players for the international friendly with Northern Ireland on February 23, overlooking Arsenal forward Beth Mead and Atletico Madrid’s Toni Duggan. Riise, a former World Cup winner as a player with Norway, said Mead had not been selected because her “player report hasn’t been that great”. Lyon forward Nikita Parris was picked for the squad by Riise, but was not released by the French side because of Covid-19 protocols. The match with Northern Ireland will be England’s first in nearly a year as they have not played since losing to Spain last March because of issues relating to the pandemic. From the squad of 23 players that reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2019, only 11 players remain for February’s camp for various reasons, with focus turning to preparations for the Women’s European Championships — hosted in England — in 2022 as well as this summer’s Olympics. Experienced players including Lyon striker Jodie Taylor, 34, and goalkeepers Carly Telford, 33, and Karen Bardsley, 36, are not involved, nor is Manchester United’s first-choice shot-stopper Mary Earps, 27. Instead England’s three chosen goalkeepers, Ellie Roebuck, Sandy MacIver and Hannah Hampton, have an average age of 21 and a combined total of five senior caps. “Getting a young group of goalkeepers coming in together, I think there will be less pressure and hopefully it will be enjoyable for them to create that group and grow in the role. They are playing every week for their clubs and that matters when you’re going into an Olympic tournament,” Riise said. MacIver and Hampton are among four uncapped players in Riise’s squad, alongside Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy and Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone. Manchester United manager Casey Stoney said she was “quite surprised” that Toone was not joined by any other members of her side in the national squad, with United second in the Women’s Super League table. The squad has an average age of 25 and an average of 37 caps, with only 12 players to have appeared 10 times or more at senior international level. Jill Scott, the Manchester City midfielder who is on loan to Everton, is in line to make her 750th appearance for England, with Riise adding: “That’s a major achievement so of course if everything goes like we plan, she will get the cap against Northern Ireland.” Excluding Scott, almost half of the squad play for Manchester City (nine) and their young wingers Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp have both been called up following their impressive recent performances, including their form in front of goal as City won 2-1 at Arsenal on Sunday. Riise did not rule out a recall for Mead later this season, adding: “Her player report hasn’t been that great, and for me now to narrow the squad, it makes her out, but if she performs every week then we’ll see. Arsenal had many games postponed so that was a challenge also.” Former United States assistant coach Riise, 51, has stepped up as head coach for February’s camp following the early exit of former head coach Phil Neville, who will be replaced by Holland manager Sarina Wiegman from September. The Football Association are yet to decide whether Riise will take charge as head coach for this summer’s Olympics in Tokyo, but a decision will be made after February’s international window. Asked if she would like the head coach job for the Olympics, Riise replied: “I am comfortable that we will settle this after the February camp and have a good discussion on that going forward.” Riise, who is yet to travel to England but will arrive ahead of the training camp next week, lifted world, European and Olympic titles with Norway as they enjoyed a dominant era at the end of the 20th century. England’s full squad Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton (Birmingham City), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City) and Sandy MacIver (Everton). Defenders: Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City) and Leah Williamson (Arsenal). Midfielders: Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Jill Scott (Everton), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Kiera Walsh (Manchester City), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Georgia Stanway (Manchester City). Forwards: Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Bethany England (Chelsea), Ellen White (Manchester City), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City).