National Coach Hope Powell has called a squad of 24 together for their internati

National Coach Hope Powell has called a squad of 24 together for their international against Russia in two weeks' time...

Powell welcomes back goalkeeper Rachel Brown, who made her comeback at the weekend following a fractured finger sustained in England's 1-0 victory over Australia last month.

Striker Kelly Smith is also in the squad, which will be the first time she has been called-up since the closure of the women's professional soccer league in Amercia - WUSA - where she had played for Philadelphia Charge.

It will be Russia's first international since participating in this year's FIFA Women's World Cup. Russia reached the quarter-final stage, where they lost 7-1 to European champions Germany. England had lost to Germany 4-0 in an away international last month.

The last time the two sides met was at the 2001 UEFA European Championship Finals, where they drew 1-1 in their opening game. Retired striker Angie Banks netted that day to put England ahead and there are several players remaining in the current squad who played that day.

The England squad meet up on Friday October 17th, before travelling to Russia on Sunday morning. The match will take place on Tuesday afternoon, then the team will travel back the next day. Clubs with two or more international players will be entitled to call off their FA Nationwide Premier League fixture on Sunday October 19th.

The team will then play a home international in mid-November to round off a tough 2003 campaign, which will be announced later this week.

Squad in full:

Goalkeepers
Pauline Cope
Rachel Brown
Toni Anne Wayne

Defenders
Kirsty Pealling
Leanne Champ
Casey Stoney
Faye White
Mary Phillip
Rachel Unitt
Corrine Yorston
Laura Bassett

Midfielders
Kristy Moore
Jodie Handley
Katie Chapman
Fara Williams
Sue Smith
Rachel Yankey
Kelly McDougall
Vickey Exley
Rachel MacArthur
Karen Burke

Forwards
Kelly Smith
Amanda Barr
Ellen Maggs