ENGLAND vs TURKEY

Squad named for final home qualifier

Monday, 12 July, 2010

Rachel Yankey in line to win 100th cap against Turkey.

Rachel Yankey is in line to win her 100th England cap against Turkey after being named in Hope Powell’s 22-player squad for the final home World Cup qualifier on Thursday 29 July.

If Yankey, who made her England debut against Scotland in August 1997, does take to the field at Banks’s Stadium she will become just the second Women’s player in history to reach this landmark figure. Gillian Coulthard holds the record with 119 caps.

Elsewhere in the squad, after impressing with the U23 side recently there are call-ups for Dani Buet and Steph Houghton, while slight injuries to Kelly Smith and Karen Carney have rendered the American-based duo unavailable for selection. However, a broken collarbone suffered by Karen Bardsley will keep the goalkeeper out for a considerably longer length of time. Carly Telford takes her place in the squad.

An England win over Turkey would guarantee top spot in Group 5 and a subsequent play-off place with one qualifier remaining, away to Austria next month.

“We are expected to top this group so it’s important that we don’t make it difficult for ourselves,” said Powell. “I will be looking for us to be professional and hopefully play the way I know we can.

“The last time we played Turkey, in November, on the balance of play I thought we deserved to win although we did require three late goals to get the points. Turkey can’t qualify for the World Cup now and they will no doubt be hoping to put on a good performance against a team that is expected to get to the play-offs. They have got nothing to lose and something to prove. They can use this game as a marker to see how far they have progressed, so we need to be on our guard.

“I think it’s important to get a good display under our belts and if this game does get us the win we need then I’d like us to get to the play-offs with a bit of style.”

Ticket information

Tickets are priced £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions
Group rates for 15 or more are £3 for adults and £2 for concessions
Family tickets (2 x adult and 2 x U16) - £10
Tickets are available from www.eticketing.co.uk/walsallfc or from the ticket hotline on 01922 651416
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Squad in full