The England captain, Steph Houghton, has recovered from knee surgery in time to return to Phil Neville’s squad for the vital World Cup qualifiers away to Wales and Kazakhstan.
Neville has opted to rely on experience as his side go to Newport’s Rodney Parade on Friday week, when a Wales win would mean Jayne Ludlow’s predominantly part-time side qualify for next summer’s finals in France.
That would leave England hoping to enter the play-offs as one of the best four of the seven group runners-up. Such a scenario could well entail them finding themselves facing a semi-final and final against some formidable opponents, potentially including Germany, Denmark and Norway for the one remaining European place. The Lionesses are a point behind Wales but have a game in hand.
While victory in front of an expected record Welsh crowd will guarantee England automatic qualification, a draw still offers them the opportunity to end up topping the group courtesy of a victory in Kazakhstan on 4 September.
Goalkeepers: Bardsley (Manchester City), Earps (Wolfsburg), Telford (Chelsea)
Defenders: Bright (Chelsea), Bronze (Lyon), Daly (Houston Dash), George (Everton), Greenwood (Manchester United), Houghton (Manchester City), McManus (Manchester City), Williamson (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Christiansen (Lyon), Kirby (Chelsea), Nobbs (Arsenal), Scott (Man City), Walsh (Man City), Williams (Reading
Forwards: Duggan (Barcelona), Lawley (Man City), Mead (Arsenal) Parris (Man City), Taylor (Seattle Reign), White (Birmingham)
Houghton’s return means that Demi Stokes, England’s first-choice left-back, is omitted because of injury. She could be replaced by Manchester United’s Alex Greenwood, who is included despite her decision to drop into the second tier of England’s domestic game and leave Liverpool for Casey Stoney’s newly formed Championship side.
Siobhan Chamberlain, the Manchester United goalkeeper, misses out though, with her place in the squad going to Mary Earps. Everton’s Gabby George is the only player in the 23-strong squad still to win a senior cap.
Wales have not conceded a goal during qualifying and to Neville’s considerable dismay, held England to a draw at Southampton in April.
“We know we have to be ready for the challenge,” Neville said. “They will be determined to make the most of home advantage and their crowd will be expecting a victory.
“Wales are top of the group and deserve total respect. We will have to be at our very best to get the result we need and no one in our squad is looking beyond this match. I know my players are up for it and will be fully focused on the job they have to do.”
The forthcoming qualifiers will be the first involving Neville’s revamped backroom staff featuring Bev Priestman as his new No 2. The highly regarded, County Durham-born coach returned to the FA after a successful spell working with Canada’s former women’s coach John Herdman.
Goalkeepers: Claire Skinner (Cardiff City), Olivia Clarke (Nettleham), Laura O'Sullivan (Cyncoed Ladies)
Defenders: Loren Dykes (Bristol City), Sophie Ingle (Chelsea), Alice Griffiths (Cardiff City Ladies), Rhiannon Roberts (Liverpool), Rachel Rowe (Reading), Gemma Evans (Bristol City), Elise Hughes (Everton)
Midfielders: Jess Fishlock (Seattle Reign), Hayley Ladd (Birmingham City), Angharad James (Everton), Nadia Lawrence (Cardiff City Ladies), Natasha Harding (Reading), Ffion Morgan (Cardiff City Ladies)
Forwards: Helen Ward (Watford), Kylie Nolan (Cardiff City Ladies), Peyton Vincze (Oklahoma), Kayleigh Green (Brighton & Hove Albion)
