England v Holland
World Cup Qualifier
8.05pm, Thursday 31 August 2006
The Valley, Charlton Athletic FC
Live on Sky Sports

To buy tickets for the game click here

England captain Faye White is hoping that her teammates can keep alive her dream of playing at the World Cup when they take on Holland next Thursday.

Although the Arsenal central defender will miss the Three Lions' final two qualifiers with a cruciate ligament injury, Faye is determined to lead out her country in China.

"I'm disappointed that I'm not going to be part of the last two games, but I really want to be there next year," Faye told TheFA.com.

"It's my dream to play at a World Cup, it is something I haven't done before, and I'm really hopeful that the other girls can keep the dream alive."

Faye also revealed that the match at the Valley on Thursday evening could provide a huge boost in her recovery from injury.

She said: "My operation is going to be the day after the Holland game so I'm really hoping that the girls get the right result because it would be a huge boost for me personally.

"I think that coping with it is has been easier this time but also harder at the same time. It is difficult to think about coming back from the same injury a second time and it is hard to think about going through it all again.

"But by the same token I have come back before so what's to stop me coming back again? There was a shock factor with the injury this time, and it took me a few weeks to get over it, but I know from past experience what I can push myself to do.

"I have been doing work pre-op this time that I never would have dreamed of doing last time it happened, so that gives me hope that I'll come back even quicker."

Looking back on the Three Lions 1-0 victory over Holland ten months ago, Faye is expecting another tight match with the Dutch outfit.

"Holland have always given us testing games and they are difficult to break down," Faye explained.

"When we played them away from home we definitely had more of the possesion and play, but they were always dangerous on the counter attack.

"I feel that we have the better squad and the confidence to get the victory we really need. The first goal is really crucial, you feel that if they were to take the lead then they would try and sit on the advantage."

With the season only just started there may be concerns about sharpness, but Faye is confident that the players will be ready. She said: "From the players I've seen and spoken to they seem fresh and raring to go."

"I know the girls have been working really hard on their fitness and in some ways it can be better playing these games early in the season rather later.

"When you get to the end of a long campaign you can be a little weary sometimes, but I think now everyone should be feeling really fresh and ready for the task at hand.

"All the players believe it is within our grasp."

Stay with TheFA.com for all the build up to England's big game.