A strong England women’s squad will head to Qatar next week where Phil Neville is holding an eight-day training camp in Doha.
The 28-woman party leave from Manchester on Tuesday and include two key returning players in the left-back Demi Stokes and the midfielder Jade Moore, who had long-term injuries. Their presence is significant as there is a sense the 23 players Neville must select for the World Cup in France in June will be chosen from the pool travelling to Qatar.
Sir Alex Ferguson took Manchester United for warm-weather breaks in Doha and was particularly impressed with the Aspire Academy’s facilities. Neville, a former United full-back, believes it will serve as an ideal preparation for the SheBelieves Cup in the United States in late February and early March.
The SheBelieves Cup, a friendly tournament also featuring USA, Japan and Brazil, represents England’s principal warm-up for France 2019, a tournament they are among the favourites to win.
“We’re all really looking forward to meeting up for our first camp of 2019,” said Neville, who has also recalled the experienced attacking midfielder Karen Carney. “After a well-earned break in December, most of the players are back in club action and will be ready to push on.
England squad for training camp in Qatar
Goalkeepers Karen Bardsley (Manchester City), Mary Earps (Wolfsburg), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City), Carly Telford (Chelsea)
Defenders Hannah Blundell (Chelsea), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Lyon), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Gabby George (Everton), Alex Greenwood (Manchester United), Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Abbie McManus (Manchester City), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
Midfielders Karen Carney (Chelsea), Isobel Christiansen (Lyon) Jade Moore (Reading), Jill Scott (Manchester City), Lucy Staniforth (Birmingham City), Georgia Stanway (Manchester City), Keira Walsh (Manchester City)
Forwards Toni Duggan (Barcelona), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Manchester City), Jodie Taylor (Seattle Reign), Chioma Ubogagu (Orlando Pride, on loan at Brisbane Roar), Ellen White (Birmingham City).
“The SheBelieves Cup is a demanding tournament with quality opposition, so this training camp in Qatar is crucial for our preparation. It’s an ideal opportunity to work as a group as we begin an important year.”
It is the first time England women have trained in Qatar but among men’s teams visiting this month are Bayern Munich, PSV Eindhoven, Paris Saint-Germain, Sweden and Finland.
Early last year the FA signed a “memorandum of understanding” with its Qatari counterparts to “share resources and expertise and develop knowledge and understanding” of football issues.
It is understood the camp will partly serve as a reconnaissance mission for the 2022 World Cup.
