Page 12 - Women's Soccer Scene No.11 2020-21

England Women's interim head coach Hege Riise has named a 24-player squad for the forthcoming
April international camp which sees the Lionesses test themselves against France and Canada.
The squad will meet up at the team's St George's Park training base on Sunday 4th April
before heading to Caen's Stade Michel d'Ornano to face France on Friday 9th April [kick off:
8.10pm BST]. The Lionesses then return to St George's Park and prepare to meet Canada at Stoke
City's stadium on Tuesday 13th April [kick off: 7.15pm].
Riise has opted for a blend of youth and experience, with the rationale for selection
remaining focused on players in form for their clubs, their versatility, physical robustness and
ability to deliver under pressure: all key requirements in managing the demands of a major
tournament.
Experienced internationals including Lucy Bronze, Ellen White, Millie Bright and Jill Scott
are joined by a strong contingent of younger players who have impressed for club and country over
the past 12 months. Amongst the youngsters, Riise has called up Everton goalkeeper Sandy
MacIver, Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy, Chelsea winger Niamh Charles and Manchester
United forward Ella Toone, together with Manchester City duo Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly.
The France and Canada fixtures could present opportunities for Niamh Charles and Millie
Turner to make their senior England debuts.
April's squad sees a return to international action for goalkeepers Carly Telford and Karen
Bardsley. Manchester City's Steph Houghton was not available for selection due to injury. Lyon's
Nikita Parris is currently unable to join the squad as a result of a number of positive covid-19 cases
reported within the club, but the situation is being regularly assessed.
Interim head coach Hege Riise said: "We have such an exciting group of players; many have
enormous major tournament experience and others have proven themselves capable of competing
for England at the highest level.
"It was very important for us to secure fixtures against top opponents in France and Canada.
France are currently ranked third in the world and Canada are eighth, so this international window
will really test our squad against some of the best in the world."
ENGLAND SQUAD v. FRANCE & CANADA
NAME CLUB CAPS GOALS
Ellie ROEBUCK Manchester City 6 0
Sandy MacIVER Everton 1 0
Carly TELFORD Chelsea 26 0
Karen BARDSLEY OL Reign * 81 0
Millie BRIGHT Chelsea 37 0
Lucy BRONZE Manchester City 82 9
Rachel DALY Houston Dash 36 4
Niamh CHARLES Chelsea 0 0
Leah WILLIAMSON Arsenal 18 1
Alex GREENWOOD Manchester City 47 3
Demi STOKES Manchester City 58 1
Millie TURNER Manchester Utd 0 0
Lotte WUBBEN-MOY Arsenal 1 0
Jordan NOBBS Arsenal 64 6
Jill SCOTT Everton * 150 24
Ella TOONE Manchester Utd 1 1
Keira WALSH Manchester City 29 0
Beth ENGLAND Chelsea 8 2
Lauren HEMP Manchester City 6 0
Chloe KELLY Manchester City 5 0
Fran KIRBY Chelsea 45 13
Beth MEAD Arsenal 25 8
Georgia STANWAY Manchester City 20 2
Ellen WHITE Manchester City 93 39
Issue no. 11 - 1 April 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk