Arsenal midfielder Jo Potter has earned her first call-up by coach Hope Powell to the England Senior squad for this month’s Nationwide women’s international against Nigeria, taking place on Thursday April 22nd at 7.30pm. Former Under-19 international Potter, who is 19, will be hoping that she can make her full debut against the Nigerians at the Madejski Stadium, Reading FC, in front of live Sky Sports cameras.

Potter’s club team-mate Leanne Champ returns to action after pulling out of the victory over Denmark in February with a tear to her posterior cruciate ligament. Right-back Champ has worked hard at her rehabilitation over the past month to ensure she is available for selection for this international.

The only other changes to the squad which beat Denmark 2-0 in February sees Fulham midfielder Corinne Yorston unavailable through injury while striker Ann-Marie Heatherson, of Charlton Athletic, fails to make her second England selection.

The squad includes ace striker Kelly Smith who has recently been dubbed by New Jersey Wildcats manager as a ‘genius’. Smith is the only English footballer to have played professional women’s football in the USA and netted a penalty in the Denmark win.

England Women are currently placed 13th in the FIFA World Rankings, while Nigeria are ranked in 27th place - despite Nigeria participating in every World Cup to date. The two sides have only had two meetings before, England winning the first clash at the 1995 World Cup 3-2 and losing 0-1 at Norwich City FC on 23rd July 2002.

England have played three home internationals so far this season, beating Australia 1-0 at Burnley in September, Scotland 5-0 at Preston in November and Denmark 2-0 last month at Portsmouth FC. Denmark are ranked five places above England and they recently lost just 1-0 to former world champions USA.

Tickets for the match, priced at £3 for adults and £1 for concessions, are set to go on sale next week. There will be special group rates for local clubs and schools and booking forms are available now. For further details check out Reading FC’s ticket hotline number on 0118 968 1000.

England Squad, v Nigeria, 22 April 2004

Goalkeepers

Pauline Cope (Charlton Athletic)
Leanne Hall (Fulham)

Defenders

Leanne Champ (Arsenal)
Kirsty Pealling (Arsenal)
Casey Stoney (Charlton Athletic)
Faye White (Arsenal)
Mary Phillip (Fulham)
Laura Bassett (Birmingham City)
Rachel Unitt (Fulham)

Midfielders

Rachel McArthur (Fulham)
Vicky Exley (Doncaster Rovers Belles)
Kelly McDougall (Everton)
Katie Chapman (Fulham)
Sue Smith (Leeds United)
Rachel Yankey (Fulham)
Jody Handley (Doncaster Rovers Belles)
Kristy Moore (Fløya, Norway)
Fara Williams (Charlton Athletic)
Jo Potter (Arsenal)

Forwards

Kelly Smith (Philadelphia Charge, WUSA)
Ellen Maggs (Arsenal)
Amanda Barr (Charlton Athletic)