Lionesses squad named for Russia

Tuesday 05 Sep 2017

The squad for England’s first 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier has been named.

Head coach Mark Sampson has selected a 26-strong squad for the match against Russia at Tranmere Rovers’ Prenton Park on Tuesday 19 September (7pm KO).

All but two of the 23-player Euro 2017 squad, who reached the tournament’s semi-finals, have been named in the squad. Goalkeeper Karen Bardsley misses out through injury while England centurion Alex Scott announced her retirement last week.

There are call-ups for Liverpool captain Gemma Bonner, Arsenal striker Danielle Carter, Birmingham City defender Jessica Carter, Reading goalkeeper Mary Earps and Manchester City forward Melissa Lawley.

Tickets for the match are still available with child tickets priced at £1. Adult tickets are priced £10 and group booking discounts apply.

Sampson said: “The Euros were a great learning experience for us, with four wins, one defeat and reaching a second consecutive major championship semi-final.

The team will take a lot of belief from the results and learn from what was a fantastic experience.

“Now we look forward to our World Cup qualification campaign. As we begin against the second seeds in the group, it's a tough start. We will prepare well next week with the aim of getting off to a winning start against Russia in Tranmere.”

England captain Steph Houghton said: “We’re really looking forward to getting back into England camp and all of the staff and players working together again.

“All our focus is on qualifying for the World Cup and building some real momentum throughout this campaign.

"Russia will be one of the toughest teams we face in the group so we’ll need to be at our best for this game.

“We had such fantastic support during the Euros both in the Netherlands and back home and we’re hoping that as many people as possible come to Prenton Park for the game and get behind us.”

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Goalkeepers: Siobhan Chamberlain (Liverpool), Mary Earps (Reading), Carly Telford (Chelsea)

Defenders: Laura Bassett (Unattached), Gemma Bonner (Liverpool), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Lyon), Jessica Carter (Birmingham City), Alex Greenwood (Liverpool), Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Casey Stoney (Liverpool)

Midfielders: Isobel Christiansen (Manchester City), Jade Moore (Reading), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Jo Potter (Reading), Jill Scott (Manchester City), Fara Williams (Reading)

Forwards: Karen Carney (Chelsea), Danielle Carter (Arsenal), Toni Duggan (Barcelona), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Melissa Lawley (Manchester City), Nikita Parris (Manchester City), Jodie Taylor (Arsenal), Ellen White (Birmingham City).

Tickets can be bought via TheFA.com/Tickets, by calling 03330 144452 (option 1) or in person at Prenton Park.

The Lionesses will also face Bosnia & Herzegovina at Banks’s Stadium, Walsall (Friday 24 November), Kazakhstan at Weston Homes Community Stadium, Colchester (Tuesday 28 November) and Wales (dates TBC) in their World Cup qualifying campaign, with the 2019 finals to be staged in France.

By FA Staff

Lionesses go again