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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jack Lacey-Hatton

Five Lionesses who need to impress 100 days out from Women's World Cup opener

We now have less than 100 days to countdown until the start of the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The Lionesses kick off their campaign at the biggest tournament ever just a few days after the opening ceremony, when they face Haiti on July 22, followed by further Group D games against Denmark and China. But before then Sarina Wiegman will announce her final England squad in late May.

14 or so of that group almost picks itself, with the likes of Mary Earps, Leah Williamson, Georgia Stanway, Lauren James, Millie Bright and Keira Walsh essentially already on the plane. Barring any late fitness problems, this group can start packing their bags for the long haul trip. But there are still plenty of players who could face a nervous wait.

Those who are on the verge of making the cut will need a strong finish to their domestic seasons to secure their place. So here are five players who need to impress Wiegman in what remains of the domestic club season to ensure they make the departure lounge.

Jess Park

Jess Park is the only player on this list who did actually make it onto the pitch in the defeat to the Matildas, albeit for the closing minutes. Park has had a real breakthrough season on-loan at Everton, but will it be enough to get a seat on the plane to Australia?

She has only spent 60 minutes on the pitch in an England shirt in 2023, less than closest rival for the final forward spot Katie Robinson. Park's hopes could also be dashed if England decide to take a gamble on Beth Mead, who is currently working her way back to full fitness after an ACL injury.

Even if Mead misses out, as is expected, Park will still have be on top form for Everton between now and the end of the WSL season to convince Wiegman she is worth taking.

Maya Le Tissier

Maya Le Tissier has had a hugely impressive season at Man Utd, helping her club to an unlikely title pursuit. This led to a first senior England cap back in November.

But her World Cup hopes in in slightly more doubt after the last two internationals. For both games Le Tissier sat on the bench and wasn't called upon by Wiegman.

Considering England were missing both Alex Greenwood and Millie Bright in the second game against Australia, this is not a great sign. The likes of Niamh Charles and Jess Carter are firmly ahead of her in the defensive pecking order. She needs a big finish to the camapaign with United.

Maya Le Tissier in action for Man Utd against fellow England hopeful Beth England (2023 Getty Images)

Katie Zelem

Does Katie Zelem need to lift the WSL trophy to secure a place on the plane Down Under? It may not simply come down to whether Zelem can lead club Man Utd to a historic first women's league title.

But if she does it may make the midfielder harder to ignore in the eyes of Sarina Wiegman. The 27-year-old was a surprise omission from the squad for the April internationals, after she was included for the Arnold Clark Cup.

England aren't blessed with options in midfield beyond the certainties of Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh, so Zelem still has a good chance of getting into the 23. Leah Williamson's ability to move seamlessly into midfield also means Wiegman can focus her attention elsewhere. In addition, the good form of Laura Coombs for Man City this season has given Zelem a difficult rival to overcome in the race for Australia.

If Zelem is to get a spot in the squad, at the very least, she'll need to outperform her derby rival Coombs from now until the end of the season.

Ebony Salmon

A slightly different suggestion as Ebony Salmon needs a good start to her season with Houston Dash, rather than a good end. The NWSL isn't even a month old and that perhaps explains why Salmon missed out on the April internationals.

But Wiegman does like the pace and trickery of the 22-year-old forward, who would offer a genuine option to play down the middle, unlike the likes of Katie Robinson and Jess Park. Salmon only managed to get on the pitch for nine minutes in the Arnold Clark Cup, which would suggest she faces an uphill struggle.

But it would be a bold call for Wiegman to only take two out-and-out central forwards in Alessia Russo and Rachel Daly, surely she'll want a third option as cover. If so that player should be Salmon, but she does need a strong run of form for the Dash on the other side of the Atlantic.

Beth England joined Spurs this season and is looking to play her way back into the England lineup (Photo by Henry Browne - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Beth England

Perhaps a bit of a rogue suggestion, as it looks highly unlikely Beth England will make the squad after a frustrating season at international level. When Ellen White first retired last summer, England would have thought she had a decent shot at becoming a regular.

But she hasn't been called up for the last three international breaks. The February and April omissions were perhaps more surprising, considering she moved to Tottenham in January for regular game time in the WSL and made a goal scoring start to her life at Spurs.

Despite England's goals Spurs are still struggling, in the midst of a relegation battle and the forward hasn't been able to get back in the Lionesses squad. Her selection question could really come down to whether Wiegman wants more centre forward cover, or whether Russo and Daly are sufficient for the tournament.

The door isn't completely shut on England but if she is going to be getting her passport stamped this summer, she'll need to lead Spurs to safety with her goals between now and the end of May.

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