Kerri Welsh has named a 21-player Young Lionesses squad for the upcoming UEFA Women’s U17 European Championship qualifiers in Croatia.
They will play three fixtures in Group A2 as they look to secure their spot at this summer’s UEFA Women’s U17 European Championship finals in Northern Ireland.
Welsh’s side will first face Turkey on Friday 13 March (13:00 GMT), before taking on mini tournament hosts Croatia on Monday 16 March (11:00 GMT), and finishing the qualifying stage against Italy on Thursday 19 March (11:00 GMT).
To claim one of the seven remaining spots in the finals in May, England must finish first in the group. In round one of the qualifying campaign in October, England topped their group, beating Scotland, Poland and Montenegro to advance in League A.
Kerri Welsh said: “We’re really excited to be back together as we push to secure qualification for this summer’s EUROs. We know the three games ahead will be tough and test the squad, but we are fully focused and take real confidence from our performance in the first round of qualifying. I know everyone is excited to continue the campaign.
“Fixtures like these when there is a bit of pressure on the line are hugely valuable for the Young Lionesses – giving the players the chance to learn, develop and keep progressing along the England pathway.”
Friday 13 March – England v Turkey: 13:00 GMT KO, Gradski Stadion Sisak, Croatia
Monday 16 March – England v Croatia: 11:00 GMT KO, Branko Čavlović-Čavlek, Croatia
Thursday 19 March – Italy v England: 11:00 GMT KO, Gradski Stadion Sisak, Croatia
England squad
Goalkeepers: Evie Mitchell (Manchester United), *Billie Price (Brighton & Hove Albion), Erin Walker (Manchester City)
Defenders: Maisie Brickell (Chelsea), Zoe Ciccardini (Cheslea), Emilie Gay (Brighton & Hove Albion), Niobe Mellor-Antill (Manchester City), Amarachukwu Nwankwo (Manchester City), Lucy Robinson (Manchester United), Katie Scott (Aston Villa)
Midfielders: Bryony Brodie (Arsenal), Romia Gagliano (FC Basel), Annabelle Tang (Arsenal)
Forwards: Cairo Antoine (Arsenal), Sophia Burton (Manchester City), Alexandra De Beaulac (Players Development Academy), Mia Dixon (Arsenal), Freya Hirons (Manchester City), Abbie Jones (Sheffield United), Aysia Matabaro (Chelsea), Chelsea N’Drin (Liverpool)
*Training player
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