The 20 year-old midfielder wants to lead Wolves to promotion from the Northern Division to the top flight of the FA Nationwide Women’s Premier League – and then to clinch a place in England’s 20-player squad for the Women’s Euro 2005.

Westwood, who has earned her first senior call-up following some impressive work at the last three England training camps, admits that she was shocked to be named in National Coach Hope Powell’s squad for the meeting with Italy.

But she is now looking forward to hopefully making her senior debut in England’s first international of the year, to be played at the National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes on Thursday, 17th February (7.30 pm).

“It was a big surprise when I heard I was in the squad,” she said, “but it was also a lovely surprise. It’s a big step forward for me and it will be a different pressure to being involved in training squads, but I’ve got to try and take my opportunity.

“I’m realistic enough to know that as a newcomer to the squad I’m only a fringe player at the moment and I’m very unlikely to start against Italy, but just to get a short run-out as substitute would be fantastic.

“Hopefully I can do enough in training ahead of the game to at least put myself in Hope Powell’s thoughts. That’s certainly my aim, and to make my senior debut in my first full season after coming back from a long injury would be unbelievable.”

Westwood lost almost 18 months of her career when, just a few weeks after playing for England at the FIFA Under-19 Women’s World Cup finals in 2002, she severely damaged the cruciate ligament in her right knee.

It was a long and painful road that finally brought her back into action 12 months ago, but after a couple of false starts she made such a successful comeback that she has forced her way into England contention despite playing outside the top flight.

Not that she intends to be outside the top flight next season. Wolves are pushing hard for the Northern Division title and promotion, and on Sunday they will be looking to edge themselves three points closer when they travel to meet Oldham Curzon.

Victory would put them six points behind leaders Sunderland with a game in hand – and with a crucial away fixture yet to come against the Black Cats. “Winning promotion is going to be tough, but we can do it,” said a determined Westwood.

“Sunderland have got the points in the bag, but there’s still quite a way to go. We’ve won eight of our last nine League games and drawn the other one, so if we can keep up that sort of form we can really put the pressure on them.”

As well as putting the pressure on Sunderland the talented youngster will be demanding a great deal from within herself as she looks to achieve her aims at both club and international levels.

“All the Wolves girls believe we can win promotion,” she said, “but we know it’s going to take a lot of hard work – and as an individual I know I’ve got to work harder than ever if I’m going to give myself a chance of making the Euro 2005 squad.

“It’s only an outside chance at the moment, I realise that, and if I’m not selected I won’t be distraught because I’m still so young. But it really would be a dream come true if it happens – and I’ll definitely be trying to make it happen!”