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The Women’s World Cup is just four months away, and the Lionesses are preparing for their final two matches before the tournament. With a lot of competition for places in the squad, BBC Sport takes a look at who could be in the running.
Rachel Daly’s form for Aston Villa this season has made her a strong contender for a centre-forward position. The versatile Euro 2022 winner has been used as a left-back throughout Sarina Wiegman’s tenure but has impressed as a number nine in England’s Arnold Clark Cup victory in February. This has given Manchester City’s Alex Greenwood an opportunity to cement her spot as the starting left-back for the World Cup.
Lotte Wubben-Moy was initially left out of this month’s squad, but was a late replacement for the injured Millie Bright and will be keen to show Wiegman why she should have been called up. She came off the bench to help Arsenal record a superb Champions League quarter-final win over Bayern Munich last week and was a well-liked member of the Euro 2022 squad. However, she faces stiff competition from Chelsea’s Jess Carter, Manchester United’s Maya le Tissier and uncapped West Ham defender Lucy Parker for a place in the World Cup squad.
Aston Villa midfielder Jordan Nobbs has not featured for England at a major tournament since 2017 due to injury, but following a January move to Villa from Arsenal, she has rediscovered her form and is one of just five midfielders in the squad for Thursday’s Finalissima against Brazil. She will be looking to impress Wiegman and secure a spot in the starting XI, but faces competition from Bayern Munich’s Georgia Stanway and Barcelona’s Keira Walsh.
Chelsea’s Fran Kirby, who started every match last summer, has not featured since February due to injury and this has opened up a midfield spot. Young Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone has prospered in Kirby’s absence and will be tough to leave out of the side, but Nobbs has plenty of experience which Wiegman will value.
England’s options in attack are world-class and this is where competition for a place in the starting XI is at its highest. With Ellen White retiring and Ballon d’Or runner-up Beth Mead all but ruled out with an ACL injury, two of the three starters in England’s frontline from last summer will likely change at the World Cup. Manchester City duo Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp are competing with Chelsea’s Lauren James for the winger positions, while Alessia Russo and Rachel Daly are vying for the number nine spot. Russo was the back-up for White last year and played a key role off the bench, scoring four goals in six substitute appearances on the way to the title. However, Daly’s form for Villa and her impressive displays in attack at the Arnold Clark Cup may have pushed her up the pecking order.
With so much competition for places in the Lionesses’ squad, it is sure to be an exciting few months leading up to the Women’s World Cup.