National Women's Coach Hope Powell has announced a young squad to face Italy in the England women's team's next international friendly, to be played away next month.

The match will be played as part of the 55th World Tournament of Viareggio, the prestigious annual men's football tournament.

Some regular experienced internationals have been omitted from the squad, in favour of young players. Five players in the squad have yet to win a cap.

England will be keen to gain their first victory against the Italians for 15 years when they play in Viareggio, near Pisa, on Tuesday 25th February at 3.00pm.

The Italy game will be England's first since losing the Play-Off Final for the last European qualifying place for the 2003 FIFA World Cup against France. Italy also missed out on qualifying for the Finals, finishing third in their group.

National Women's Coach Hope Powell OBE said: "The Italy game will provide us with an excellent opportunity to test our young players as we start our preparations for Euro 2005. We do not have a fully competitive fixture for the next two years after qualifying for the Euros as hosts, so it is important to use a friendly programme for our younger players to gain the much-needed experience.

"If you look at the best teams in the world, they are full of players who have 40+ caps, while some of the girls we used in our World Cup campaign just had a handful."

England last played Italy in May 1999, where they lost 4-1 prior to the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup, in which Italy participated. Out of 19 meetings between the two countries, England have won just three.

Squad in full:
Pauline COPE - Charlton Athletic
Rachel BROWN - Everton
Toni-Anne WAYNE - Southampton Saints

Kirsty PEALLING - Arsenal
Leanne CHAMP - Arsenal
Rachel McARTHUR - Fulham
Rachel UNITT - Fulham
Casey STONEY - Charlton Athletic
Laura BASSETT - Birmingham City
Mary PHILLIP - Fulham
Kristy MOORE - Fulham
Jody HANDLEY - Doncaster Belles
Carly HUNT - Doncaster Belles
Samantha BRITTON - Leeds United
Vicky EXLEY - Doncaster Belles
Fara WILLIAMS - Charlton Athletic
Rachel YANKEY - Fulham
Sue SMITH - Leeds United
Kelly McDOUGALL - Everton

Kelly SMITH - Philadelphia Charge
Amanda BARR - Charlton Athletic
Carmaine WALKER - Charlton Athletic
Una NWAJEI - Fulham
Karen WALKER - Doncaster Belles