England WU23s squad announcement for Spain camp

Written by:

Beth McHugh

Young Lionesses will be joining the senior squad for a camp in Andalusia

England women's under-23s head coach Emma Coates has selected a 24-player squad for a warm weather camp in Spain.

The Young Lionesses are back in action and will kick-off 2024 with two matches in Marbella.

Emma Coates’ side will first face Spain on Thursday 22 February (11am GMT) before taking on the Netherlands in a European league fixture on Monday 26 February (12pm GMT).

The WU23s will be looking to replicate their form from 2023 which saw them remain undefeated across the year, most recently drawing 1-1 with Spain in December.

The February camp will shine a spotlight on the England pathway, with the Young Lionesses joining the senior squad in Marbella.

Emma Coates said: “We’re looking forward to getting everyone together for our first camp of 2024. Having the opportunity to travel to Spain and test ourselves against two quality European opponents is the ideal way to start the year.

Emma Coates' England WU23s side went unbeaten for the whole of 2023

“It will be a brilliant experience for our Young Lionesses to share a camp with the seniors, giving them a taste for what could lie ahead in their own futures.

“A camp of this nature also shows how connected the England pathway is, as we aim to prepare more Young Lionesses for our senior team.”

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Fran Stenson (Sheffield United)*, Lucy Thomas (Birmingham City)

Defenders: Tara Bourne (Sheffield United), Anouk Denton (West Ham), Freya Gregory (Aston Villa), Naomi Layzell (Bristol City), Ella Morris (Southampton), Poppy Pattinson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Mia Ross (Charlton Athletic), Hannah Silcock (Blackburn, on loan from Liverpool), Kiera Skeels (Charlton Athletic)

Midfielders: Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City), Ruby Grant (BK Hacken), Missy Bo Kearns (Liverpool), Lucia Kendall (Southampton), Ruby Mace (Manchester City), Molly Pike (Southampton),

Forwards: Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Missy Goodwin (Leicester City), Jessica Naz (Tottenham Hotspur), Shannon O’Brien (Leicester City), Katie Robinson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ebony Salmon (Aston Villa)

* Replaces Kayla Rendell (Southampton) and Maisie Symonds (Brighton & Hove Albion) who are withdrawn through injury

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