The England Women’s international friendly trip away to Italy next week has been cancelled.

The England Women’s international friendly against Italy next week has been cancelled.
The Three Lions had been due to play the Italy national side away on Wednesday March 17th, but Italy cancelled the fixture after accepting a late invitation to participate in the international tournament, The Algarve Cup.

England, unbeaten in four of their last five games, will no longer have an international fixture in March, but will look to find opposition for a friendly match next month which could be at home or away. Hope Powell's team are currently in the middle of preparations for the UEFA European Women’s Championship Finals, which will be hosted in England in June 2005. 

England qualify automatically for the tournament, which means they will play friendlies for the next 16 months in the build-up for the eight-team Finals.

Meanwhile, England Under-19s will play a friendly international next Friday 19th March at Gravesend & Northfleet FC. The match against Republic of Ireland kicks-off at 2pm and entry is only £1 for all ages.