Officially.
A City septet make up the 23-player group, but Ellie Roebuck has been with the Lionesses throughout the tournament as a travelling member.
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Pictured here in training with new team-mate Ellen White, a veteran of three World Cups, it has provided the 19-year-old with a fantastic opportunity to learn, further familiarise herself with the national team set-up and gain major tournament experience.
And it’s that last point in particular which could prove most beneficial to the young ‘keeper.
Having made 16 appearances for City in 2018/19 – only one less than Karen Bardsley – Roebuck was very much in contention for a place in the squad.
She’s enjoyed a fairly quick rise, however, and only made her international debut back in November, meaning the shot-stopper is very much a novice at this level.
That Roebuck put aside the disappointment of missing out on selection and embraced the opportunity speaks volumes of her character.
For her, the 2019 World Cup is a learning experience that will only stand her in good stead for an international career which will surely include major tournament appearances in the future.
