Ellie Roebuck, Steph Houghton, Demi Stokes, Jill Scott, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, Chloe Kelly and Ellen White have all been selected in Phil Neville’s 30-strong squad, as have new recruit Lucy Bronze and teenager Esme Morgan.
Defender Morgan is one of seven youngsters to have been called up for their first senior camp, as England begin preparations for the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Due to quarantine restrictions in place for travel from certain countries, a small number of senior players who ply their trade at foreign clubs have not been included in September’s squad.
Having injected a cohort of young hopefuls into his squad for the Lionesses’ last meeting at the SheBelieves Cup in the USA, Neville and his senior backroom team have significantly widened the group to expose a number of uncapped players to the elite senior environment.
It is hoped that the younger squad members will benefit from the experience of the core senior internationals and provide strong competition for places as the Lionesses build towards forthcoming major tournaments.
Head coach Neville said: “This is a critical moment in our development of England Women.
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“Every camp from now on is aimed at building a team capable of competing for the highest honours in world football, including the prestigious home EURO in 2022 and, ultimately, the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.
“It is important that we offer as many opportunities as possible for some of the country’s best young talent to stake their claim for a place in the senior England squad for this exciting three-year period.
“All the youngsters who have been given their opportunity today are extremely deserving of their senior call-ups, having performed strongly at club level and through England’s development teams.
“Now is their opportunity to prove themselves at senior international level and I am excited to see the blend of youthful ambition and senior experience.
“Introducing greater competition for places and providing opportunities for young players to develop is absolutely key to taking England Women to the next level as we begin the long build towards the home EURO and FIFA Women’s World Cup.”
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The next three years will see England target glory at the home UEFA Women’s EURO and FIFA Women’s World Cup, as well as next year’s home nations collaboration for Team GB Football’s Olympic campaign.
The Lionesses will meet up for the first time since March’s SheBelieves Tournament next Tuesday (15 September) for an intensive training camp at their Burton base.
The seven-day camp will also include an 11v11 training game behind closed doors on Friday 18 September.
