Lionesses squad named for a week-long training camp

Thursday 11 Aug 2016
England have made it to Euro 2017 with two qualifiers to spare

England Women head coach Mark Sampson has selected a 23-player squad for a week-long training camp.

Sky Blue FC forward Leah Galton has been handed her first call-up into the seniors after impressing in this season’s NWSL.

She has represented England at U17 and U19 level and was a key part of the Under-23s squad at the La Manga Tournament in March.

Elsewhere there are returns to the squad for Chelsea goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer, Notts County midfielder Jo Potter and Arsenal striker Danielle Carter – who scored a hat-trick on her England debut last September.

Notts County goalkeeper Carly Telford, Liverpool’s Alex Greenwood and Arsenal’s Jodie Taylor are all out through injury.

The Lionesses will meet at St George’s Park on Sunday [14 August], where they will stay for five days, before moving to Bisham Abbey on Thursday 18 August for two days.

The camp will form the start of England’s preparations for next summer’s UEFA Women’s Euros.

Sampson’s side secured qualification for the tournament in June after beating Serbia 7-0 in June.

[England stormed to victory over Serbia in June]

Sampson said: "This is an important camp for us. We’re less than a year away from the Euros and we will use the week to set out all of the work we will need to do to prepare as best we can for next summer.

"This is a great opportunity for us to work with the players to agree individual and team plans so we are at our maximum level come July, giving us the best chance possible of winning the Euros.

"We made the decision to not play a fixture so we could focus on our work on the training field, in the gym and off the pitch.

"We’re very pleased to welcome Leah into the group.

"She, like Rachel Daly before her, has been a player on our radar for a long time. She was the stand out player for our Under-23 group in La Manga, is playing regularly at a very competitive level and has earned her chance to come in and show what she can do at this level."

England’s next home game is against Estonia on Thursday 15 September (7.05pm KO) at Meadow Lane, where they will look to cement their place at the top of Group 7. They will then travel to Leuven to play Belgium on Tuesday 20 September.

Tickets for the Estonia match are on sale now, priced £7.50 for adults and £3.50 for children. A family ticket is available, via phone booking only, priced £15 (two adults and two children) while group booking discounts apply.

Tickets can be bought via www.TheFA.com/Tickets or by calling 0115 955 7210.

Goalkeepers: Karen Bardsley (Manchester City), Siobhan Chamberlain (Liverpool), Rebecca Spencer (Chelsea).

Defenders: Laura Bassett (Notts County), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Gilly Flaherty (Chelsea), Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Alex Scott (Arsenal), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Casey Stoney (Arsenal).

Midfielders: Izzy Christiansen (Manchester City), Jade Moore (Notts County), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Jo Potter (Notts County), Jill Scott (Manchester City), Fara Williams (Arsenal).

Forwards: Karen Carney (Chelsea), Danielle Carter (Arsenal), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Gemma Davison (Chelsea), Leah Galton (Sky Blue FC), Nikita Parris (Manchester City), Ellen White (Notts County).

By FA Staff