England WU23s squad named for Belgium trip

Written by:

Wendy Taylor

Mo Marley to take charge of Lionesses squad for game with Belgium in Tubize

England Women are to play an under-23 match against Belgium as Sarina Wiegman looks to increase opportunities for promising players in the senior pathway.

The WU23s will travel to the Stade Leburton in Tubize for the international fixture on 25 October (kick-off 1.30pm), with experienced coach Mo Marley returning to guide the squad on a consultancy basis.

The training camp prior to departure will be at St. George’s Park under the guidance of Marley, who will mentor Emma Coates and England’s most capped player Fara Williams, alongside goalkeeper coach Tom Pressman to complete the coaching team.

Kay Cossington, head off women’s technical, said: “Sarina and her staff want to bridge the gap between the age groups and the seniors and after 18 months of limited international football in the women’s game, we can start to make up for lost opportunities.

“Emma and Fara will benefit greatly from working with Mo on this camp, as part of our commitment to helping our young coaches to get as much varied experience as possible. I am sure the players will relish the chance to be involved in international football and show what they can do.”

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Meanwhile, the WU17s returned this week after making it through the first round of qualifying in Poland ahead of the 2022 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship next summer.

The squad will now enter the next round in the New Year as one of 28 teams hoping to secure one of seven spots in the eight-team finals to be held in Bosnia-Herzegovina next May.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Fran Bentley (Bristol City, loan from Man Utd), Emily Ramsey (Birmingham City, loan from Manchester United), Fran Stenson (Brighton & Hove Albion, loan from Arsenal)

Defenders: Megan Finnigan (Everton), Gabrielle George (Everton), Taylor Hinds (Liverpool), Jodie Hutton (Aston Villa)*** Maya Le Tissier (Brighton & Hove Albion), Mayumi Pacheco (Aston Villa), Anna Patten (Arsenal), Poppy Pattinson (Everton), Kiera Skeels (Charlton Athletic)

Midfielders: Missy Bo Kearns (Liverpool), Ruby Grant (University of North Carolina), Melisa Filis (West Ham United), Jessica Park (Manchester City), Molly Pike (Leicester City)

Forwards: Rinsola Babajide (Brighton, loan from Liverpool)*, Ellie Brazil (Brighton & Hove Albion), Emma Harries (Reading), Lucy Parker (West Ham United)** Katie Robinson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ebony Salmon (Racing Louisville)

* Replaces Jessica Naz (Tottenham Hotspur)
** Replaces Angela Addison (Tottenham Hotspur)
*** Replaces Asmita Ale (Tottenham Hotspur),