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    Caroline Weir and Lauren Hemp among WSL aces included in Hege Riise’s Team GB squad

    HEGE RIISE has named 11 Manchester City players in her women’s football squad representing Britain at the Tokyo Olympics.Lauren Hemp – the side’s youngest member at 20– and Scotland’s Caroline Weir are among the City aces in the group featuring 15 England internationals.
    Scotland and Man City playmaker Caroline Weir has been named in Hege Riise’s Team GB squadCredit: The Sun
    Lauren Hemp is the youngest member of the women’s football squad representing Great Britain at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: Rex
    The 18-strong squad includes 13 of the Lionesses who came third in the 2019 Women’s World Cup to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics
    Riise’s group also features 13 Olympic debutants. Among their number is WSL Player of the Year Fran Kirby.
    And her Chelsea team-mate Sophie Ingle is the only Wales international to have made the cut.
    Others making their Olympic debuts include Fifa’s Best Women’s Player Lucy Bronze, Chelsea vice-captain Millie Bright and Arsenal centre-back Leah Williamson.
    The group also features five WSL veterans who competed at London 2012 helping Britain reach the quarter-finals where they lost 1-0 to Canada.      
    England’s Ellen White, Jill Scott, Karen Bardsley and Steph Houghton and Scotland’s Kim Little were among the players who made history as the first women’s football side to represent Britain at the Games.
    And Ellie Roebuck and Hemp are the only two England players in the side who were not in the Lionesses squad that reached the 2019 World Cup semis.
    Head coach Riise, 51, is one of just three women in the world to have won an Olympic gold medal, a World Cup and a European Championship.
    And the head coach will draw on her success of winning gold with Norway at the 2000 Sydney Games in the hope of leading Britain to glory in Japan.
    Riise said: “I know first-hand as a former player just how proud my players will feel today at having been selected to represent Great Britain. 
    “There is no greater sporting occasion in the world, and I am honoured to lead this hugely talented team into the Games. 
    “We will go there aiming to win and we will give everything we have to achieve success.
    “I hope that Great Britain’s inclusion once more in the Olympic Football Tournament can inspire the next generation of young girls to play the sport we love.”
    Hege Riise has included 15 England internationals in her groupCredit: PA
    Chelsea’s Fran Kirby is among the England players included in Riise’s squadCredit: Getty

    Team GB chef de mission Mark England added: “Having an opportunity to field a women’s football team in Tokyo, for only the second time in our Olympic history, is incredibly exciting.
    “It is fantastic to see five returning Olympians named and I am sure they, along with the 13 debutants, will relish the opportunity to represent Team GB this summer.
    “Team GB is on the cusp of making history this summer as we are on track to qualify more female than male athletes for the Games for the very first time.
    “I am sure that as we saw at London 2012 the team selected today will help to inspire a new generation of girls and young women wanting to play the sport.”
    Keeper Sandy MacIver, defenders Lotte Wubben-Moy and Niamh Charles and striker Ella Toone will travel to Japan as squad reserves.
    And Man City’s Alex Greenwood, Arsenal’s Beth Mead and Chelsea’s Carly Telford are among the experienced England internationals who have been left out of Riise’s side.  
    Kim Little (right) is one of two Scotland internationals who will represent Team GBCredit: SNS
    Wales skipper Sophie Ingle is only the international player from her nation to be included in Riise’s teamCredit: Getty
    Other notable absentees include Jordan Nobbs and Chelsea ace Beth England who won the PFA Women’s Player of the Year Award in 2020.
    Great Britain are due to play Chile in their opening Olympic Group E game followed by clashes Japan and Canada in their Olympic group matches. 
    Matches are due to commence on July 21 with their first two fixtures due to take place at the Sapporo Dome.
    Ellen White, Kim Little, Steph Houghton, Jill Scott and Karen Bardsley are among the London 2012 Olympians who compete in TokyoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Steph Houghton will compete in the Olympics for the second time in her international careerCredit: Getty
    Team GB Football Squad
    Goalkeepers – Karen Bardsley (Man City – on loan at OL Reign/England), Ellie Roebuck (Man City/ England)
    Defenders – Millie Bright (Chelsea/England), Lucy Bronze (Man City/England)Rachel Daly (Houston Dash/England), Steph Houghton (Man City/ England), Demi Stokes (Man City/England), Leah Williamson (Arsenal/England)    
    Midfielders – Sophie (Chelsea/Wales), Kim Little (Arsenal/Scotland)Jill Scott (Manchester City/England), Keira Walsh (Manchester City/England), Caroline Weir (Manchester City/Scotland), 
    Forwards – Lauren Hemp (Manchester City/ England),  Fran Kirby (Chelsea/England),   Nikita Parris (Olympique Lyonnais/ England), Georgia Stanway (Manchester City/England), Ellen White (Manchester City/ England). 

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    Arsenal hero Ian Wright shares tweet urging Gunners to allow WSL stars to play their European games at the Emirates

    IAN WRIGHT made a Gooner’s day by sharing a social media post pleading for Arsenal’s Women’s Champions League games to be played at the Emirates.The Gunners legend, 57, retweeted the suggestion made by the fan following Mikel Arteta’s side’s failure to qualify for Europe.
    Arsenal legend Ian Wright retweeted a fan’s plea for Arsenal Women to play their European games at the Emirates next seasonCredit: PA
    Arsenal will compete in the Women’s Champions League in 2021-22 after missing out this termCredit: Getty
    For the first time in 25 years, the Gunners’ Prem side will miss out on duels with their continental rivals after finishing eighth in the table.
    However, the club’s Women’s Super League stars are set to battle Europe’s elite after they qualified for the Champions League by pipping Manchester United to third.
    And one Twitter user reckons clashes between the Gunners’ WSL aces and the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona could potentially attract large crowds if played at the Emirates.
    Adam Salter tweeted: “Seeing as Arsenal aren’t in Europe next season please, please, please can we let Arsenal Women use the Emirates Stadium for their midweek European Games?
    “Just imagine the crowds we could get in! This could be a massive opportunity to expand and bring more Gooners to the Women’s games!”
    The author of the tweet was thrilled to see their plea catch the attention of Wright, who is a WSL ambassador and a huge fan of the women’s game.
    The Highbury icon, 57, who won five major trophies with Arsenal including a Prem title and a Cup Winners’ Cup, shared the post with his 1.9million Twitter followers.
    In response, Adam Salter tweeted: “Thank you so much Wrighty, you absolute legend! It’s an honour to have you in our corner! Thank You!”
    Arsenal, who won the Women’s Champions League in 2007, will compete in the contest for the sixteenth time next term.
    The club remains the only English team to have won the competition, under legendary former boss Vic Akers, with rivals Chelsea reaching the finals this year.
    Ian Wright shared a fan’s plea for Arsenal’s Women’s Champions League games to be played at the Emirates
    Arsenal beat Man Utd to third in the top tier to a place in Europe’s top club competitionCredit: Getty

    Next season Arsenal will aim to go beyond the competition’s last eight after being beaten in the quarters of the 2020 Champions League by PSG.
    Meanwhile, their male counterparts will have their attention fully focused on securing a top-four finish next term with no European action on the cards.
    The last time the Gunners men’s team failed to qualify for competitions in Europe was in 1995, a year before Arsene Wenger’s arrival.
    And some Arsenal fans have suggested the Prem side would have finished higher than eighth if the team had the attacking prowess of Vivianne Miedema.
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    Arsenal are reportedly in talks with Lyon over a swap deal that could see Vivianne Miedema move to FranceCredit: Rex
    The Netherlands star netted 18 goals in 22 WSL games for the North London side this term.
    And although Dutch forward narrowly missed out on winning this season’s WSL Golden Boot, some supporters have been comparing her to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
    But the Gunners goal machine could be on her way to French giants Lyon amid reports of a potential swap deal that could see Nikita Parris move to North London.
    Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
    Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Nikita Parris in the summer transfer windowCredit: Rex
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    Arsenal in talks to swap WSL goal machine Vivianne Miedema for Lyon star Nikita Parris

    NIKITA PARRIS could be on her way to Arsenal in a sensational switch that would see Vivianne Miedema move to French giants Lyon. Both clubs are reported to be mulling over a swap deal with the WSL hot shot entering the final year of her Gunners contract, according to The Guardian. 
    Lyon are reportedly in talks with Arsenal over a swap deal for Vivianne MiedemaCredit: Getty
    The deal would reportedly involve Parris moving to Arsenal ahead of next seasonCredit: Rex
    Arsenal have been looking to tie Miedema down to a new contract for this year. 
    In January former boss Joe Montemurro brushed off speculation of Lyon’s interest in the forward, who has netted 60 goals in 67  appearances for the Gunners. 
    But it is thought the club, who signed Japan forward Mana Iwabuchi, are reluctant to allow the Netherlands superstar to leave on a free transfer next summer. 
    Miedema, 24, has been heavily linked with a move to Lyon, who are one of the most dominant forces in women’s football in Europe. 
    The French outfit currently hold the record for the most top-flight title wins in France with 14 Ligue One Women’s crowns. 
    And they have also won the most Champions League titles with a tally of seven trophy wins in the competition. 
    Miedema, who moved to Arsenal from Bayern Munich in 2017, has been on fire for the Gunners in front of goal this term.
    The Dutch ace netted 18 times in 22 top-flight appearances this term helping the North London side beat Man United to third to qualify for the Champions League.  
    And the Netherlands striker broke the record for the most number of goals scored by a player in the WSL surpassing Nikita Parris’ tally of 49. 
    However, the Gunners, who have won the WSL title once since Miedema’s move to the club, finished this season trophyless and nine points behind league winners Chelsea. 
    Parris, 27, who has 50 England international caps, left Manchester City for Lyon in 2019 after a trophy-laden five-year spell. 
    The Liverpool-born striker, won a WSL title, two league cups and two FA cups with the Citizens following her move from Everton in 2016 
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    Miedema, 24, has been in fine form for Arsenal 18 goals in 22 WSL games this termCredit: Getty

    The Lionesses forward, who moved to Lyon on a three-year deal, has enjoyed silverware success with the side.
    Her trophy wins include a Ligue One title and the Champions League in 2020. 
    Parris, whose team are currently second in France’s top tier and a point behind Paris Saint Germain, has netted 11 goals in 19 league games this term. 
    Lyon are due take on PSG next in a highly anticipated clash for the title.
    Parris and her Lyon team-mates are due to play PSG in their penultimate game of the seasonCredit: Rex
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    Arsenal land Japan star Iwabuchi months after being linked with the former Aston Villa ace

    MANA IWABUCHI has signed for Women’s Super League giants Arsenal after being heavily linked with a summer move. The former Bayern Munich and Aston Villa forward’s switch to North London ends months of speculation. 
    Mana Iwabuchi has signed for Arsenal ending months of rumours linking her with the clubCredit: Getty
    Iwabuchi had been an Arsenal target prior to her move to Aston VillaCredit: Getty
    It is thought the playmaker, who began her senior career at 16 in Japan’s top flight, had been eyed as a replacement for ex-Gunners forward Jill Roord.
    Details of the deal for Iwabuchi are yet to be disclosed by Arsenal.
    The club says the deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.
    But the Japan star, 28, said: “I’m so happy to finally be able to announce that I am an Arsenal player. 
    “I know the club has wanted to sign me for a long time now, so it’s a great honour to be able to play for Arsenal.
    “There are so many amazing players and I can’t wait to get started.”
    Iwabuchi, whose playing career began at Nippon TV Beleza, has been an Arsenal transfer target over the past 18 months with former boss Joe Montemurro keen on the player.
    The forward sealed a surprise move to Villa in December 2020, netting two goals in 13 top-flight appearances before leaving the side in May. 
    And the Japan international won plaudits for her performances for the Villans, helping them to avoid relegation to the Championship before leaving the side this month.

    Iwabuchi plied her trade with at Japanese side INAC Kobe Leonessa before sealing a switch to the top division of the women’s game in England.
    And the forward spent three years at German giants Bayern Munich from 2014 to 2017, where she was a team-mate of Arsenal goal machine Vivianne Miedema. 
    Together the duo won back-to-back Women’s Bundesliga titles in 2015 and 2016. 
     Iwabuchi, who was part of the famous Japan side who won the World Cup in 2011, has joined an Arsenal outfit on the hunt for a new boss.
    Iwabuchi’s Arsenal move will see her reunited with former Bayern Munich team-mate Vivianne MiedemaCredit: Rex

    The forward was part of the Japan team who made history by becoming the first Asian side to beat the USA in a World Cup final.
    The signing of Iwabuchi is a big statement of intent for Arsenal who will make their return to Champions League action next season. 
    The Gunners, who finished third last term and nine points behind WSL champs Chelsea, will be pushing for the title next term.
    Iwabuchi helped Japan win the Women’s World Cup in 2011Credit: Getty – Contributor
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    Tottenham release 11 WSL players including Rianna Dean and former Chelsea ace Gemma Davison

    TOTTENHAM have parted company with eleven players from their first-team squad with the side set for a major overhaul this summer. Striker Rianna Dean and former Chelsea star Gemma Davison are among the aces who have been released with their contracts coming to an end. 
    Rianna Dean is among the 11 players released from TottenhamCredit: Getty
    Gemma Davison left the club after two seasons after her contract came to an endCredit: Getty
    The news comes weeks after the team finished eighth in the women’s top tier six months into Rehanne Skinner’s reign as boss.  
    Other players released include Australia international defender Alanna Kennedy and Tottenham’s longest-serving player Lucy Leon who joined the side in 2013.
    Davison, 34, made a 2019 switch to Spurs following a one-season spell at Reading, and three years playing for Emma Hayes’ Chelsea. 
    The former Blues winger was part of the Tottenham team who took on her old side when the champions played their first-ever WSL game at Stamford Bridge. 
    It was a victory that saw Spurs fall to a 1-0 defeat on the opening day of the 2019-20 season.
    Prior to her two-year career at Tottenham, Davison won four WSL titles during stints with Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool between 2012 and 2018.
    The veteran forward netted once in 28 top flight appearances for Spurs between 2019 and 2021, helping the side finish seventh in their debut WSL season. 
    Davison’s former team-mate Dean, 22, was part of the Tottenham side that secured promotion to the women’s top tier from the Championship ahead of the 2019-20 season.
    The former Millwall Lioness striker scored ten goals for Spurs in 37 top-flight appearances during the club’s first two seasons in the WSL. 
    On Twitter Dean posted a touching farewell message to the club and its fans paying a warm tribute to former Spurs bosses Karen Hill and Juan Amoros. 
    In her post, Dean wrote: “I wanted to say thank you to all my team-mates and the amazing fans for all their support.
    “I want to thank Karen and Juan for giving me the opportunity to sign my first ever professional contract and their belief they had in me. 
    Tottenham finished eighth in the WSL and reached the Women’s FA Cup quarter-finalsCredit: Rex

    “It has been a great journey especially in gaining promotion to the WSL. I wish the club all the best for next season.” 
    Goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen and Netherlands centre-back Siri Worm are among the other players departing following the expiration of their contracts. 
    And striker Lucy Quinn and midfielders Chloe Peplow, Anna Filbey and Elisha Sulola have also been released. 
    Rehanne Skinner will be looking to rebuild her squad ahead Tottenham’s third season in the WSLCredit: PA
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    Montemurro reportedly set for Italy switch and Juventus Women’s top job after Arsenal exit

    JOE MONTEMURRO is rumoured to be close to becoming Juventus Women’s head coach following his Arsenal departure, according to reports.The 51-year-old is top of the Serie A Women’s side’s shortlist for the role according to the Italian newspaper Affari Italiani.
    Joe Montemurro has been heavily linked with Juventus following his exit from ArsenalCredit: Getty
    Montemurro led Arsenal to a third place in the WSL and qualification for the 2021-22 Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
    Speculation has grown following the news of Rita Guarino’s decision to leave the Italian champions after four years at the helm.
    Guarino, 50, had been in charge since the Old Lady’s women’s team was established in 2017.
    Juve, who crushed Inter Milan in their final Serie A game of the 2020-21 season, won their fourth top-flight title this year.
    And the Turin juggernauts have dominated the Italian women’s game since their creation winning one Cup and two Super Cups.
    Australian Montemurro has Italian parents and spent five years as a player in the country.
    The former midfielder enjoyed a one-year stint at Serie C side Potenza in 1989 and four years with Treviso from 1991 to 1995
    Affari Italiani believe Montemurro’s deep ties with Italy could be a factor in his decision to coach Juve.
    Montemurro, who led Arsenal to a league cup and WSL league title in 2018 and 2019, has been linked with the Old Lady in the past.
    Montemurro is reportedly a favourite to replace former Juve Women’s boss Rita GuarinoCredit: Getty
    While the former Gunners boss has previously distanced himself from the post, he did admit the club had approached his agent to express their interest.
    And the former Melbourne Women’s City boss commented on the rumours after Arsenal’s 9-0 thumping of Crystal Palace in the Women’s FA Cup fifth round.
    Montemurro said: “I haven’t seen anything about it and it’s news to me, to be honest.
    “I won’t lie, there have been some calls to my agent and some inquiries.
    “But I haven’t agreed to anything and nor do I intend to make any decisions for now.”
    In March Montemurro announced his decision to leave Arsenal at the end of the 2020-21 WSL season after three years in charge
    During his tenure, the former Gunners chief guided the North London giants to their first top-flight title in seven years in 2019.
    And he also led the side to one Champions League quarter finals in 2020 and an FA Cup final in 2018 where his team were beaten 3-1 by Chelsea.
    Juventus have won their fourth Serie A Women’s titleCredit: Getty

    And the former WSL boss oversaw the Gunners to qualification for next term’s Champions League pipping rivals Manchester United to third in the top tier.
    If Montemurro does end up at Juventus, club chiefs will hope he will bring his stylish brand of football to the club.
    The ex-Arsenal gaffer’s philosophy led Hope Powell to praise him for turning the Gunners into the “best team in the league.”
    Joe Montemurro had previously distanced himself from Juve Women’s manager’s roleCredit: PA
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    England ace Lucy Bronze opens up on fight to stop online abuse as part star-studded campaign

    LUCY BRONZE has hit out at the sexist abuse she has received on social media as she teams up with football stars to tackle online hate.Bronze and top players from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are using this year’s Euros to push tech giants to clamp down on bigoted trolling.
    Lucy Bronze is among the football stars backing a campaign to help people to spot and tackle online hate and abuse
    The Man City and Lionesses star has joined forces with some of the biggest names from across the home nations as part of Hope United.
    The BT campaign, backed by Bronze, Demi Stokes, Man United’s Lauren James and Wales striker Helen Ward, is urging social media firms to encourage their users to be ‘better digital citizens’.
    It comes a month after YouGov research revealed that 1 in 10 people have been on the receiving end of hate speech and abusive comments online.
    Bronze, 29, said: “The crazy thing is that I don’t know anyone I have ever played with who has not been on the receiving end of online abuse.
    “It’s really sad when you think about it. For me, there has always been the whole ‘get back in the kitchen’ comment.
    “It’s the ‘go to’ of the unoriginal sexist comments I get online.
    “It’s kind of embarrassing for someone who sends that kind of message that they’ve resorted to that. 

    “But the really bad comments, I think, you try so hard to just block out. I think that’s the thing as well.
    “People ask, ‘does it affect you’ and you brush it off and say you’re fine. 
    “But I don’t think anyone is really fine with it. I think everyone is affected in some sort of way, whether it’s a small slice of abuse or it is daily, or hourly.
    “It’s not okay to normalise online abuse, whether it’s for us as footballers or people in society, work and school it’s not okay.
    “We want to use our platform to make change and make a difference.”
    Bronze says all the footballers she has played with have received abusive messages onlineCredit: Getty

    Bronze, who won Fifa’s Best Women’s Player award in 2020, says she is “100 per cent” behind efforts to push tech firms to educate users on how to recognise and counter hate online.
    A squad of players – led by Rio Ferdinand, Karen Carney, Eni Aluko and Robbie Savage – have been drawing on their distressing experiences to raise awareness of the effect of social media abuse.
    A day before the campaign’s launch Man United legend Ferdinand was on the receiving end of monkey chants from a Wolves fan at Molineux.
    The former England star also received an abusive post featuring banana emojis in response to his reflections on the incident which he shared on Twitter.
    [embedded content]
    Jordan Henderson, Gareth Bale and Marcus Rashford are among the other figures involved in Hope United campaign along with para footballers Rebecca Sellar and Charlie Fogarty.
    There are people from different backgrounds, both men and women, from different teams who have all suffered online abuse or witnessed online abuseLucy Bronze
    The sports stars are featured in video guides offering people pointers on how to protect themselves from abuse on digital platforms.  
    Rio Ferdinand received a racially abusive tweet one day of ahead of the launch of Hope United
    Bronze added: “I have a huge platform in women’s football to get this message out and to be part of this team.
    “The whole point of being a part of this team is that we’re all together, it’s not just Lucy Bronze and Demi Stokes of women’s football.
    “It’s not just men’s football, it’s all of us coming together.
    “There are people from different backgrounds, both men and women, from different teams who have all suffered online abuse or witnessed online abuse.
    “We’ve come together and said enough is enough. This is a message we’ve said all year, whether it’s been about racism, homophobia.
    “As players we’ve said with online abuse, we know that there is something that can be done about it. 
    “Platforms can be held accountable to make changes.
    “People putting out abuse should be held accountable for the actions that they’re taking because online hate is a hate crime. 
    “We know that these platforms can make a difference and change can be made
    “And we want change now because we’re not accepting this anymore.”
    Hope United is rallying the UK to tackle online abuse as part of BT’s commitment to boost the nation’s digital skills. To find out more visit bt.com/hopeunited
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    Bardsley and Weir set to make Team GB squad for Tokyo Olympics according to reports

    KAREN BARDSLEY is reportedly due to be included in Great Britain’s women’s football squad for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.  Scotland aces Kim Little and Caroline Weir are also thought to be among the players who have made the group of 18 according to The Athletic. 
    Karen Bardsley is among the players reported to have made Hege Riise’s 18-strong Team GB squadCredit: Reuters
    Caroline Weir is also thought to be included the Team GB women’s football squad for the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: The Sun
    The squad who will be led by head coach Hege Riise is due to be confirmed this week.
    Man City star Bardsley, 36, who moved to the WSL giants from Lincoln in 2014 is currently on loan at OL Reign. 
    The Lionesses keeper, who has made 52 appearances across all competitions, for City endured an injury-plagued 2019-20 season. 
    A torn hamstring during England’s quarter-final win against Norway in the 2019 Women’s World Cup, would see the Lionesses keeper spend nine months in rehab before returning to training in March 2020.
    And Bardsley’s battle with injuries saw her lose her place as City’s No1 stopper to rising star Ellie Roebuck, who is also thought to have made Hege Riise’s Team GB squad.
    However, a loan switch in February to OL Reign in the National Women’s Soccer League has given the Santa Monica-born stopper’s selection chances a lift. 
    Bardsley, who has 82 caps for the Lionesses, represented Great Britain in London 2012 making five appearances for the side who lost to Canada in the Games’ quarter-finals. 
    And should the veteran stopper be included in Riise’s squad she will be one of a small group of players to have represented Team GB at London 2012 and in Tokyo. 
    Other players expected to be included in the squad who will have competed in both Olympic games include Man City captain Steph Houghton and Jill Scott who spent five months on loan at Everton from City. 
    Bardsley’s Citizen’s team-mate Lucy Bronze is also reported to have made the team along with club colleagues Demi Stokes, Georgia Stanway and Kiera Walsh
    And The Athletic claims Arsenal’s Leah Williamson is due to be part of the squad along with Chelsea’s Sophie Ingle who is rumoured to be the only Wales player included. 
    Everton stopper Sandy MacIver, Blues playmaker Erin Cuthbert and Man United duo Ella Toone and Millie Turner are rumoured to be among the WSL stars on Riise’s standby list. 
    Reports claim Sophie Ingle has made the list of players will represent Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics in JapanCredit: Getty

    Team GB’s women’s football team are due to play Chile, Japan and Canada in their Olympic group matches. 
    Games are due to commence on July 21 with their first fixture – against Chile – expected to take place at the Sapporo Dome. 
    And the squad will be hoping to go beyond the quarter-final stage which Team GB reached at the London 2012 games where they were defeated 2-0 by Canada.
    Man City Steph Houghton is also expected to be named in Team GB’s women’s football squadCredit: PA:Press Association
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