Mark Sampson has named his England squad for next month’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The head coach has kept faith with the majority of the players who helped the Lionesses make it to Canada 2015 with a 100 per cent record. Of the 23-player squad, only Chelsea duo Claire Rafferty and Katie Chapman did not feature in qualifying.
Eight players will be taking part in their first senior World Cup – Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, Jade Moore, Jordan Nobbs, Jo Potter, Toni Duggan, Fran Kirby and Jodie Taylor.
World Cup fixtures
v France, Tuesday 9 June
v Mexico, Saturday 13 June
v Colombia, Wednesday 17 June
Meanwhile, at the other end of the scale Siobhan Chamberlain, Alex Scott, Casey Stoney, Jill Scott, Fara Williams, Eniola Aluko and Karen Carney are all preparing for their third appearance at a World Cup, all having featured in 2007 and again in 2011.
Sampson said: “This is a hugely exciting time for all the staff and players.
“We’re ranked sixth in the world, we are a good team and we’ve got some exceptional players. We’ve got a very compact, resolute unit and we’ve got a real togetherness in the group so we’ll certainly be a difficult opponent for anyone in Canada.
“I think as a group of staff we’re very clear about the direction we want to take the team in during the tournament and hopefully the players can pull together.
“With this group in particular we have a large number of players who have performed very well and contributed to get this team to where it is now.
“The ambition is to go to Canada and win the competition but we’ve got to treat every game like a final.”
England have been drawn in Group F and open up against France in Moncton on Tuesday 9 June. They take on Mexico in the same city on Saturday 13 June before their last group match against Colombia in Montreal on Wednesday 17 June.
The World Cup Final takes place in Vancouver on Sunday 5 July.
England captain Steph Houghton
England captain Steph Houghton said: “A World Cup is the pinnacle of every player's career and we want to enjoy every moment.
“We worked so hard to get to the World Cup, now we just can't wait to get started. We know we've got a tough group but we are prepared to go there and give it our all.
“It will be an honour and a privilege to lead these girls in Canada.”
Sampson’s squad will take on the host nation in a friendly in Hamilton on Friday 29 May.
Squad
Goalkeepers
Karen Bardsley (Manchester City), Siobhan Chamberlain (Arsenal), Carly Telford (Notts County)
Defenders
Laura Bassett (Notts County), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Alex Greenwood (Notts County), Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Claire Rafferty (Chelsea), Alex Scott (Arsenal), Casey Stoney (Arsenal)
Midfielders
Katie Chapman (Chelsea), Jade Moore (Birmingham City), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Jo Potter (Birmingham City), Jill Scott (Manchester City), Fara Williams (Liverpool)
Forwards
Eniola Aluko (Chelsea), Karen Carney (Birmingham City), Toni Duggan (Manchester City), Fran Kirby (Reading), Lianne Sanderson (Arsenal), Jodie Taylor (Portland Thorns), Ellen White (Notts County).
Lionesses Steph Houghton, Toni Duggan, Fran Kirby and Ellen White reflect on selection for Canada 2015
