Fara Williams, Toni Duggan return to England squad

Thursday 19 Nov 2015
Fara Williams scored the penalty that secured World Cup bronze

Mark Sampson has named his 23-player squad for England Women’s first home game since winning bronze at this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

England’s most-capped player Fara Williams returns to the squad after injury along with Manchester City striker Toni Duggan.

The Lionesses face Bosnia & Herzegovina on Sunday 29 November (3.30pm KO) at Ashton Gate, Bristol, as part of their UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 qualifying campaign.

Germany v England

A Women's International
5pm GMT, Thursday 26 November
Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena, Duisburg

The same squad will also travel to Duisburg to play Germany on Thursday 26 November (5pm KO GMT) in a friendly, which will be live on the BBC Red Button.

It is the first time the two teams will have faced each other since England secured third place in the World Cup, beating Germany 1-0 thanks to a Williams penalty.

Sampson, who managed FA Women’s Super League (FA WSL) side Bristol Academy before becoming England head coach, said: “We are really looking forward to playing in England, in front of our supporters, for the first time since the World Cup.

"Women’s football fans in the south west are some of the best in the country and I know they will come out in force to get behind the Lionesses. 

“2015 has been an amazing year for the team and our supporters, full of special memories for everyone involved.

"To end the year with a match in Germany, one of the biggest tests in women’s football, and then the team’s homecoming in Bristol against Bosnia is a fitting way to mark such a big year for the game. 

“In November last year we were well beaten by an excellent Germany team at Wembley, but since then we have grown as a group and worked on developing a much stronger mentality which will be tested in Duisburg.

England v Bosnia & Herzegovina

UEFA Women’s Euro 2017
Group 7 qualifier
3.30pm, Sunday 29 November
Ashton Gate, Bristol City FC
Tickets priced £5 adults, £2.50 children

“It has been a long, hard season for the players and our domestic league finished some weeks ago. But the players are all professional and I expect them to be prepared physically and mentally.

"We will focus on being a strong group and making life as difficult as possible for our opponents, and I am confident that we can get two positive results.” 

Tickets are still available for the match priced £5 for adults and £2.50 for children.

A family ticket (two adults and two children) is available at £10 and group booking discounts apply.

Tickets can be purchased via TheFA.com/Tickets or by calling 01179 630 600.

Goalkeepers: Karen Bardsley (Manchester City), Rachael Laws (Sunderland), Carly Telford (Notts County)

Defenders: Laura Bassett (Notts County), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Gilly Flaherty (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Notts County), Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Claire Rafferty (Chelsea), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Casey Stoney (Arsenal), Amy Turner (Notts County)

Midfielders: Isobel Christiansen (Manchester City), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Jill Scott (Manchester City), Fara Williams (Liverpool)

Forwards: Eniola Aluko (Chelsea), Jess Clarke (Notts County), Gemma Davison (Chelsea), Toni Duggan (Manchester City), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Jodie Taylor (Portland Thorns), Ellen White (Notts County)

By FA Staff