Hope Powell has named a 26 strong squad for the upcoming international friendly against Norway at Shrewsbury Town’s ProStar Stadium on St. George’s Day.
Carly Telford, Laura Basset, Rachel Williams, Jodie Handley and Gemma Davidson come in for the game against Norway and will take their place in a squad including all English players currently playing in the WPSL. Arsenal’s Faye White is still recovering from a knee injury and will not make the game against Norway.
The Three Lions return to Shrewsbury for the first time since November 2007 when a Karen Carney goal secured victory over Spain in a Euro 2009 Qualifier, and this forthcoming game is sure to provide them with a stern test ahead of the Finals in Finland. It also marks their first international home game since returning victorious in the Cyprus Cup.
Norway are currently ranked sixth in the FIFA world rankings, four places above England and Powell will also pit her charges against Iceland and Denmark before the Euros commence in August.
In terms of preparation, the England Head Coach knows only too well the importance of these friendly matches. “We are now preparing for Norway who are clearly one of the leading nations in Women’s football, having reached the semi-final of the World Cup 2007,” she continued, “It will again provide us with quality opposition that will test the character and endeavour of the squad, and to play in front of a home crowd at Shrewsbury will be a great opportunity for the team to put on a good performance. We are taking an extremely strong squad to Shrewsbury for the game.”
Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
Squad:
Rachel BROWN Everton LFC
Siobhan CHAMBERLAIN Chelsea LFC
Carly TELFORD Leeds Carnegie LFC
Alex SCOTT Boston Breakers
Casey STONEY Chelsea LFC
Laura BASSETT Arsenal LFC
Corinne YORSTON Bristol Academy WFC
Rachel UNITT Everton LFC
Lindsay JOHNSON Everton LFC
Stephanie HOUGHTON Leeds Carnegie LFC
Anita ASANTE Sky Blue FC
Jill SCOTT Everton LFC
Fara WILLIAMS Everton LFC
Kelly SMITH Boston Breakers
Emily WESTWOOD Everton LFC
Katie CHAPMAN Arsenal LFC
Dan BUET Chelsea LFC
Rachel WILLIAMS Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC
Rachel YANKEY Arsenal LFC
Sue SMITH Leeds Carnegie LFC
Karen CARNEY Chicago Red Stars
Lianne SANDERSON Chelsea LFC
Eniola ALUKO Saint Louis Athletica
Jessica CLARKE Leeds Carnegie LFC
Jody HANDLEY Everton LFC
Gemma DAVISON Arsenal LFC
Match details:
England v Norway
International Friendly
7.45pm, Thursday 23 April 2024
The ProStar Stadium, Shrewsbury Town FC
Tickets are £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions
Ticket Hotline 01743 273 943
