Mark Sampson to name England squad for Women’s World Cup on Monday

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/10/mark-sampson-england-world-cup-squad

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Mark Sampson will name his 23-strong England squad for next month’s Women’s World Cup in Canada at lunchtime on Monday. The England coach is scheduled to make the announcement at the Canadian high commission in Trafalgar Square and those selected will head, almost immediately, to a training camp at St George’s Park, Burton, before flying to Toronto for a final friendly against the tournament hosts on 29 May.

After that England move north-east to Moncton in New Brunswick where they face games with France on 9 June and Mexico four days later. Then comes the final Group F match, against Colombia, in Montreal on 17 June.

Although England, recent victors in the Cyprus Cup, won all 10 of their World Cup qualifiers scoring 52 goals and conceding just one in the process, they are ranked behind the United States, Germany, Brazil, France, Sweden, the holders Japan and Canada in the betting.

While few expect his side to lift the trophy in Vancouver on 5 July, Sampson’s challenge is to exceed general expectations by proving this is one England team capable of progressing beyond the quarter‑finals of a major tournament. A coach under Roberto Martínez at Swansea and the former manager of Bristol Academy, he expected to spend Sunday engaged in some considerable agonising.

“I’m going to be spending the day umming and aahing over who are going to be the players to go on the trip,” he said, well aware his decisions will provoke joy, relief and crushing disappointment in assorted quarters.

The 32-year-old Welshman is also aware of the need to select “good tourists”, capable of ensuring England’s camp remains harmonious over the course of what could turn into several weeks away from home. “It’s important we get the right players and the right people,” he said. “It’s important we get the right blend.”

If Sampson has been conflicted, the wait is proving pure torture for Jodie Taylor. The 28-year-old Portland Timbers striker has impressed since breaking into the squad last year and craves a chance to show what she can do on the biggest international stage. “It would mean everything to me to go to Canada,” she said. “I’ve worked so hard for years to get into the England team. I just hope all my hard work pays off now. After so much preparation it will almost feel like a relief to get to Canada. Fingers crossed I’m selected.”