Mark Sampson has recalled Ellen White, Toni Duggan, Natasha Dowie and Anita Asante to the England Women’s squad for the match against China at Manchester City’s new Academy Stadium on Thursday 9 April.
Captain Steph Houghton and Karen Carney will miss out through injury. Hopefully they will both be fit to join the squad for the World Cup, in the meantime this will give Mark Sampson an opportunity to cast an eye over some of the other squad members.
England have been drawn in Group F at the World Cup alongside France, Colombia and Mexico. They begin the campaign against the French on Tuesday 9 June.
The Lionesses will play one further friendly, before the World Cup begins, against Canada on 29 May in Ontario. The host nation will have a score to settle after England beat them to win the Cyprus Cup (for the third time) last month.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Karen Bardsley (Manchester City), Siobhan Chamberlain (Arsenal), Carly Telford (Notts County)
Defenders: Anita Asante (Malmo), Laura Bassett (Notts County), Gemma Bonner (Liverpool), Alex Greenwood (Notts County), Claire Rafferty (Chelsea), Alex Scott (Arsenal), Casey Stoney (Arsenal), Demi Stokes (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Katie Chapman (Chelsea), Jade Moore (Birmingham City), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Jo Potter (Birmingham City), Jill Scott (Manchester City), Fara Williams (Liverpool)
Forwards: Eniola Aluko (Chelsea), Jess Clarke (Notts County), Natasha Dowie (Liverpool), Toni Duggan (Manchester City), Fran Kirby (Reading), Lianne Sanderson (Arsenal), Jodie Taylor (Portland Thorns), Ellen White (Notts County).
