Having featured for England at the 2011 World Cup and for Team GB at London 2012, Sophie Bradley knows a thing or two about international football.
And the Notts County defender believes the Lady Pies’ close season signings will bring some of that international quality to Meadow Lane.
It has been a busy winter for the club, with a slew of new faces signing on, including Fern Whelan, Laura Bassett, Alex Greenwood, Jess Sigsworth and Rachel Williams.
Bradley's England factfile
DOB: 20/10/1989
Caps: 28
Won: 19
Drew: 6
Lost: 3
Debut: v Austria, 21/08/2010
Manager Rick Passmoor will be hoping that the fresh blood can inspire his squad to finish higher than the sixth place they achieved in FA WSL 1 last term.
And with the winter additions already feeling like a part of the furniture at Notts County, Bradley is confident they can help the club do just that.
She said: “The new signings are fitting in really well, it’s like they have been here a lot longer than they have.
“There are some great characters in there, so that has only added to the atmosphere that we had from last year.
“It is fantastic to have all different levels of experience in the squad – with Laura Bassett being one of the older players she is getting a bit of stick for being an OAP now!
“And then you have got someone like Alex Greenwood who has not long been in the England set-up but has great knowledge of the game.
“Rachel Williams and Jess Sigsworth have both played at England level, Jess at the younger age groups and Rachel at senior level, so it is great to have all that experience.
“They will all be brilliant additions to our team and hopefully push us on in the WSL.”
Bradley faces a race to be fit for the start of the 2015 campaign as she continues to recover from a serious knee injury sustained last July.
Notts County's first five
v Chelsea (H), Sun 29 Mar
v Arsenal (H), Thurs 2 Apr
v Birmingham City (A), Sun 19 Apr
v Bristol Academy (A), Sat 25 Apr
v Sunderland (H), Weds 29 Apr
The Notts County defence coped admirably in her absence, conceding just eight goals, but the strikers were less potent as the team scored 12 times in the league.
Their plight wasn’t helped by England forward Ellen White going down with an injury in pre-season.
But White’s imminent return, combined with a strong nucleus, means Bradley is convinced County will have no problem putting the ball in the net this time round.
She added: “Ellen White unfortunately did not get to play a minute on the park so to have someone of her calibre back is great.
“We were great defensively last year but I think with the likes of Ellen, Rachel Williams and Jess Clarke we will have a great strike force.
“Perhaps last year Jess felt a bit under pressure as we relied on her throughout the season but having those players around her will help her.
“Also, I thought Carly Telford in goal had one of the best seasons I have ever seen a player have last season.
“She was one of the best players in the league and hopefully she can carry on where she left off.”
Notts County will get their FA WSL 1 campaign under way by entertaining last season's runners-up Chelsea on Sunday 29 March.
