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Phil Neville Names 30-Player Lionesses Training Squad Featuring Several New Faces

By Jamie Spencer

Man Utd's Millie Turner has been called up by England
Man Utd's Millie Turner has been called up by England / Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images
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England manager Phil Neville has named a 30-player Lionesses squad for an international training camp this month, marking the first steps of a long-term build that will conclude with the next Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.

The seven-day training camp starting on 15 September is the first time that England have got together since the SheBelieves Cup in March, with Neville also widening the squad to include a number of uncapped players called up to the senior Lionesses squad for the first time.

Liverpool winger Rinsola Babajide has been called up
Liverpool winger Rinsola Babajide has been called up / Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images

Those new faces, all of whom have impressed at club level, include Manchester United trio Millie Turner, Katie Zelem and Ella Toone, new Chelsea forward Niamh Charles, Liverpool winger Rinsola Babajide and Manchester City talent Esme Morgan.

A handful of senior England players based abroad, like Nikita Parris, Toni Duggan and Jodie Taylor, have not been selected due to concerns over travel restrictions from certain countries.

“This is a critical moment in our development of England Women. Every camp from now on is aimed at building a team capable of competing for the highest honours in world football, including the prestigious home EURO in 2022 and, ultimately, the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023,” Neville said.

“It is important that we offer as many opportunities as possible for some of the country’s best young talent to stake their claim for a place in the senior England squad for this exciting three-year period."

30-Player Lionesses Squad for September Training Camp

Goalkeepers: Hannah Hampton (Birmingham), Sandy MacIver (Everton), Ellie Roebuck (Man City), Carly Telford (Chelsea)

Defenders: Lucy Bronze (unattached), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Grace Fisk (West Ham), Alex Greenwood (unattached), Steph Houghton (Man City), Abbie McManus (Man Utd), Esme Morgan (Man City), Demi Stokes (Man City), Millie Turner (Man Utd), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (unattached)

Midfielders: Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Jill Scott (Man City), Georgia Stanway (Man City), Ella Toone (Man Utd), Keira Walsh (Man City), Katie Zelem (Man Utd)

Forwards: Rinsola Babajide (Liverpool), Rachel Daly (West Ham, loan from Houston Dash), Bethany England (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Man City), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (unattached), Ellen White (Man City)

Man Utd captain Katie Zelem is in the Lionesses squad
Man Utd captain Katie Zelem is in the Lionesses squad / Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

Neville went on to explain: “All the youngsters who have been given their opportunity today are extremely deserving of their senior call-ups, having performed strongly at club level and through England’s development teams.  Now is their opportunity to prove themselves at senior international level and I am excited to see the blend of youthful ambition and senior experience.

“Introducing greater competition for places and providing opportunities for young players to develop is absolutely key to taking England Women to the next level as we begin the long build towards the home EURO and FIFA Women’s World Cup.”

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