Kelly Smith named in England squad for Cyprus Cup

Wednesday 12 Feb 2014
Kelly Smith is England's record goalscorer with 46 goals

Kelly Smith has been included in the England Women’s squad for the first time since the 2013 European Championship finals.

The Arsenal player-coach, who had a long-standing calf complaint, has been drafted into Mark Sampson’s 24-strong party that will compete in next month’s Cyprus Cup.

Smith missed the Three Lions' opening four World Cup qualifiers.

Cyprus Cup schedule

v Italy, 3.30pm GMT, 5 March
v Finland, 12.30pm GMT, 7 March
v Canada, 12.30pm GMT, 10 March

Every other player travelled to La Manga last month for a week-long training camp which culminated in a 1-1 draw with Norway.

England won the annual Cyprus Cup last year and they will take on Italy (on Wednesday 5 March), Finland (Friday 7 March) and Canada (Monday 10 March) in Group A of the latest renewal.

They will play one final game on Wednesday 12 March against one of the other eight teams in Group B or C.

Jemma Rose, Rachel Daly, Isobel Christiansen and Danielle Carter, who were with the senior squad in January, have been included in the Under-23 squad for the six-team La Manga Tournament, which will also take place in early March.

Everton youngster Alex Greenwood could make her debut in Cyprus but there is no room for Casey Stoney, who is still recovering following a foot operation.

Sampson said: "I was pleased with the way the group worked in La Manga so the most difficult part of selecting the squad was leaving people out who did well in that camp.

"But I had to make some decisions and I have selected a balanced squad that gives us many options, both tactically and in terms of the character of the team.

"We have added Kelly to the group who is now back to full fitness so it is a great chance for her to be involved again and get some game time at international level.

"The Cyprus Cup represents another opportunity for us to grow as a group and for me to learn more about the players.

"We will go there to work very hard."

Squad in full

Goalkeepers
Karen Bardsley (Manchester City), Rachel Brown-Finnis (Everton), Siobhan Chamberlain (Arsenal)
Defenders
Laura Bassett (Chelsea), Gemma Bonner (Liverpool), Sophie Bradley (Notts County), Lucy Bronze (Liverpool), Alex Greenwood (Everton), Stephanie Houghton (Manchester City), Alex Scott (Arsenal), Demi Stokes (University of Florida)
Midfielders
Anita Asante (Malmo), Jade Moore (Birmingham City), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Jill Scott (Manchester City), Fara Williams (Liverpool)
Forwards
Eniola Aluko (Chelsea), Karen Carney (Birmingham City), Gemma Davison (Liverpool), Natasha Dowie (Liverpool), Toni Duggan (Manchester City), Lianne Sanderson (Boston Breakers), Kelly Smith (Arsenal), Ellen White (Notts County)

 

By Glenn Lavery