England Women’s coach Phil Neville has named an extra-large squad of players for a training camp at the end of the month… with five Chelsea stars included.

Carly Telford, the second oldest in the squad after City’s Jill Scott, will battle Ellie Roebuck for the green jersey.

Also in the 30-strong Lionesses squad are defender Millie Bright and strikers Beth England, Fran Kirby and Naimh Charles, pictured above, who recently joined Emma Hayes’ team from relegated Liverpool, but who has yet to make her debut for the Blues.

The women will gather at St George’s Park as the long, long build-up to the Women’s World Cup 2023 starts – a tournament to be staged in New Zealand and Australia.

Meantime, the Euros, home nations and Olympics will occupy the international calender.

It is Charles’ first call-up, with the forward hoping to at least get a look-in during a behind-closed-doors 11 v 11 training friendly that is planned.

“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,” said Neville, who will be replaced by Sarina Weigman in a year’s time.

The Lionesses meet for the first time since March’s SheBelieves Tournament on Tuesday September 15 for an intensive training camp at the Burton base. The 11v11 training game will take place on Friday September 18.