Phil Neville has named his England squad for the forthcoming ‘Road to France Series’ double-header on home soil, with just over two months to go before the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The 25-player squad take on Canada at a sold-out Academy Stadium, Manchester [Friday 5 April] before hosting Spain at The County Ground, Swindon Town [Tuesday 9 April] as they step up their preparations for this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Twenty-one members of the group lifted the SheBelieves Cup earlier this month while there are returns for Manchester City duo Jill Scott, who withdrew due to injury last time out, as well as young goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck.
Millie Bright and Jade Moore return after sitting out the USA tournament as part of the long-term management of their return to full fitness.
April’s opponents are also preparing for the World Cup finals.
Fifth-ranked Canada will provide a stern test before an emerging Spain side head to Wiltshire, the first Lionesses fixture at the venue since their 4-0 win over Slovenia in September 2013.
Both matches will be broadcast live on BBC4 and BBC 2 respectively.
Head coach Neville said: “We’re looking forward to playing in front of our fans in different parts of the country once again.
“Our support is brilliant. The fans have backed us and hopefully we can put on a good show.
“We’re expecting two tough matches but we need to be tested as we step up our preparations for the summer.
“Winning the SheBelieves Cup was fantastic but we’re now looking to improve and push on further.
“As ever, picking the squad was really tough due to the strength and depth of talent in our ranks.
“We have four matches before flying out to France and I want to emphasise that the door is not shut to any player with ambitions of making the World Cup squad.”
Tickets are still available for the meeting with Spain.
England will then host Denmark [Saturday 25 May] at Banks’s Stadium, Walsall FC before the visit of New Zealand [Saturday 1 June] to the American Express Community Stadium, Brighton and Hove Albion FC.
Tickets are priced at only £1 for concessions and £10 for adults and can be purchased here.
The squad:
Goalkeepers
Karen Bardsley, Manchester City; Mary Earps, Wolfsburg; Ellie Roebuck, Manchester City; Carly Teford, Chelsea
Defenders
Millie Bright, Chelsea; Lucy Bronze, Lyon; Rachel Daly, Houston Dash; Alex Greenwood, Manchester United; Steph Houghton, Manchester City; Abbie McManus, Manchester City; Demi Stokes, Manchester City; Leah Williamson, Arsenal
Midfielders
Karen Carney, Chelsea; Jade Moore, Reading; Jill Scott, Manchester City; Lucy Staniforth, Birmingham City; Georgia Stanway, Manchester City, Keira Walsh, Manchester City
Forwards
Toni Duggan, Barcelona; Fran Kirby, Chelsea; Beth Mead, Arsenal; Nikita Parris, Manchester City; Jodie Taylor, Seattle Reign; Chioma Ubogagu, Orlando Pride; Ellen White, Birmingham City
Courtesy of The FA
