MANCHESTER UNITED’S Lauren James has been given her first senior international call-up ahead of England Women’s training camp this month.
The striker’s performances for the WSL leaders, who play Manchester City this week, have impressed Lionesses boss Phil Neville.
Lauren James’s Man United performances this term have earned the striker her first senior England call-up Credit: PA:Press Association
Other starlets joining England’s 10-day camp include Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben-Moy and Liverpool’s Rinsola Babijide who both receive their second senior call-ups.
And twelve Manchester City aces will be part of the group of 29 players who will gather at St George’s Park on November 22.
Among their number will be Lauren Coombs, 29, who returns to the national squad for the first time since October 2015.
James, 19, and Man City skipper Steph Houghton will be part of Phil Neville’s 29-strong England Women’s campCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The midfielder and James, 19, were part of the City and United teams who drew 2-2 in a thrilling WSL Manchester derby on Saturday.
England boss Neville said: “I’m delighted to give Lauren James her first senior call-up. She is an exciting young player that we want to help develop further.
“She joins the squad alongside many other young players who we’ve introduced over the last few months.
“Laura Coombs is a player I have watched a lot this season and I have been very impressed with her progression in the game.
“She has performed consistently at a high level which merits her call-up to the squad.
Lauren Coombs (right) has received her first call-up to the Lionesses since October 2015Credit: Getty Images – Getty
“This has been a challenging time for everyone, but it will be good to finish the year with an intensive training camp during which the squad will develop further and in which every player has the chance to prove themselves ahead of our upcoming major tournaments.”
The call-up for James, who is a sibling of Chelsea defender Reece, follows the striker winning a Rising Star trophy at the North West Football Awards this month.
The United ace and her England colleagues were due to play a friendly against Norway in Sheffield on December 1.
However Covid-19 travel restrictions have led to the clash being called off.
And the cancellation of the Norway game means veteran Lioness Jill Scott will have to wait for another chance to claim her 150th cap.
England Women’s Squad
Phil Neville’s 29-strong squad list:
Goalkeepers: Sandy MacIver (Everton), Hannah Hampton (Birmingham), Carly Telford (Chelsea)
Defenders: Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Millie Turner (Manchester United), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Jill Scott (Manchester City), Laura Coombs (Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Manchester City), Keira Walsh (Manchester City), Lucy Staniforth (Manchester United), Ella Toone (Manchester United)
Forwards: Rachel Daly (West Ham United, on loan from Houston Dash), Nikita Parris (Olympique Lyonnais), Ellen White (Manchester City), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Lauren James (Manchester United), Rinsola Babajide (Liverpool), Bethany England (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Arsenal)
Man City’s Jill Scott will have to wait a little longer for her 150th England cap Credit: Getty Images – Getty
This milestone for Scott will make the Sunderland-born star the second international player to reach this figure behind Fara Williams.
Neville and his team hope to use the camp to prep their internationals ahead of the Women’s Euros in 2022.
The England boss added: “Although sadly we no longer have a competitive fixture, every minute spent on the training pitch and in planning is crucial and plays an important part in preparing for the UEFA Women’s EURO.”
Lionesses in training
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
