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In the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, holders Newcastle will take on Fulham, who also has a Premier League title, at St James’ Park.

Chelsea travels to League One, making them the only team outside the top flight to make it to the last eight.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace, who defeated last year’s runners-up Liverpool in the last 16, will travel to Arsenal.

In the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, holders Newcastle will take on Fulham, who also has a Premier League title, at St James’ Park.

Chelsea travels to League One, making them the only team outside the top flight to make it to the last eight.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace, who defeated last year’s runners-up Liverpool in the last 16, will travel to Arsenal.

Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby says there are “areas we can really improve” – but she is “proud” of her side after defeat in the Nations League play-off.

Iceland retained their League A status with a 5-0 aggregate win over the two legs, while Oxtoby’s side will remain in League B for 2027 World Cup qualifying.

The second leg was delayed by a day after heavy snow in Reykjavik forced the game on Tuesday to be postponed.

Sveindis Jonsdottir, Hlin Eiriksdottir and Emilia Asgeirsdottir were on target as the hosts ran out 3-0 winners in Wednesday’s rescheduled game.

“I said at the start of the tie we would end up where we deserve to end up,” Oxtoby said.

“I thought there was elements of that tonight that were really, really good.

Oxtoby said the postponement of the second leg had been “challenging” and she was “super-proud” of how her players and staff had adapted.

The former Chelsea assistant manager, who also questioned the “professional courtesy” in Croatia last year, said there was “a long way to go” in the women’s game “in terms of professionalism and the way things are done”.

“For the group to come out and perform how they did, the country should be super proud of the players for what they’ve had to deal with over the last couple of days,” she added.

Northern Ireland will remain in League B for World Cup qualifying as they fell short in their bid to reach the top tier for the first time and Oxtoby said “we have work to do”.

But the Australian said the progress in her young squad from when she took over as manager in September 2023 as “night and day”.

“I think their application to do what we are asking is nothing short of extraordinary. I think there are small areas for us, particularly in possession, where we need to develop,” she said.

“I think that comes with a bit of time and the players know the areas we need to be better at. We can’t click our fingers and change that, so we need to stick together.

Tanya Oxtoby, manager of Northern Ireland, claims there are “areas where we can really improve” but that she is proud of her team after the Nations League play-off defeat.

Iceland won the two legs 5-0 on aggregate, keeping them in League A for 2027 World Cup qualifying, whereas Oxtoby’s team will stay in League B.

Due to heavy snowfall in Reykjavik forcing the game to be postponed on Tuesday, the second leg was delayed by a day.

The hosts won the game on Wednesday after running out 3-0 winners, thanks to Sveindis Jonsdottir, Hlin Eiriksdottir, and Emilia Asgeirsdottir.

Oxtoby said, “I said at the start of the tie that we would end up where we deserve to end up.”

“I believed there were some really, really good things in that tonight.

Oxtoby praised how her players and staff had adjusted as a result of the second leg’s delay, saying it had been “challenging” and that she was “super proud” of how the team had adjusted.

The former Chelsea assistant manager said there is still a long way to go “in the women’s game” in terms of professionalism and the way things are done, putting in another question about the “professional courtesy” in Croatia last year.

The nation should be extremely proud of the players for what they’ve had to deal with over the past few days, she continued. “The group should come out and perform how they did.”

Because they failed to reach the top tier for the first time, Northern Ireland will remain in League B for World Cup qualifying, according to Oxtoby, who stated, “we have work to do.”

However, the Australian described the development of her young squad as “night and day” since she became manager in September 2023.

Their request to fulfill our request is nothing short of extraordinary, in my opinion. She said, “I believe there are some small areas where we need to develop, especially in possession.”

The players are aware of the areas we need to improve in, and I believe that comes with time. We must stick together because we can’t change that with our fingers.

British number ones Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu could partner each other in mixed doubles after agreeing to play at next year’s United Cup in Australia.

Great Britain, Poland and Australia are the first three teams to be confirmed for the mixed-team event, which will take place in Perth and Sydney from 2 to 11 January the week before the Australian Open.

Draper pulled out of the 2025 event with injury before Britain exited at the quarter-finals, while 2026 will be Raducanu’s United Cup debut.

“To see British [number ones] in Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu line up for the first time will bring new star power to the tournament,” said United Cup director Stephen Farrow.

Eighteen teams – each featuring up to three male and three female players – will be split into six groups of three, with teams playing those in their groups in a round robin format.

Each tie will comprise one men’s singles and one women’s singles match featuring the number one-ranked singles players, and one mixed doubles match.

Draper and Raducanu could partner in the doubles, though it is likely team organisers will select two doubles specialists for the squad.

Ranking points will be on offer and could prove crucial as Raducanu, the current world number 29, tries to qualify as one of the 32 seeds for the Australian Open.

“I’m honoured to be able to make my United Cup debut in January,” Raducanu said.

“Being able to play for Team GB with my team-mates is a unique opportunity and week to enjoy.

“It’s great to be able to experience a new format on the tour, represent my country and spend a couple extra weeks in Australia.”

After agreeing to play in the United Cup in Australia next year, British number two Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper could play mixed doubles.

The first three teams to be confirmed for the mixed-team competition, which will take place in Perth and Sydney from February 2 to February 11, 2018, are Australia, Great Britain, Poland, and Australia.

Before Britain exited at the quarter-finals, Draper injured himself before making his World Cup debut in 2026.

New star power will be introduced to the tournament, according to United Cup director Stephen Farrow, who saw the British [number ones] in the Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu lineup for the first time.

Eighteen teams will be divided into six groups of three, with each team playing against the other teams in a round-robin format. Each team will have three male and three female players.

One mixed doubles match will be played in each tie, along with one men’s singles match, one women’s singles match, and one women’s singles match featuring the top-ranked singles players.

Although it’s possible that the team organizers will choose two doubles specialists for the squad, Draper and Raducanu could play together in the doubles.

Ranking points will be offered as Raducanu, the 29th seed, tries to become one of the 32 seeds for the Australian Open.

I’m honored to make my January United Cup debut, Raducanu said.

“It’s a unique opportunity and week to enjoy being able to play for Team GB with my team-mates.”

“It’s great to represent my country on the tour, spend a few extra weeks in Australia,” said one fan.