England WU23s squad named for final fixture of 2023-24 season

The Young Lionesses will welcome Sweden to the New Bucks Head Stadium, home of AFC Telford United, on Thursday 4 April (18:30 BST). 

Tickets are still on sale, starting from £5 for adults and under for concessions. Shropshire is a familiar home for the WU23s who played Belgium at Shrewsbury Town back in September, with a record crowd for the age group turning out to witness a 3-0 victory.

The match against Sweden will be the Young Lionesses’ final fixture of a memorable season. Since September, Emma Coates’ side has been competing in a new league format against other European nations in the WU23s age category. England remain undefeated in the competition, most recently drawing 1-1 with the Netherlands in February.

Emma Coates said: “It’s been a great season for our Young Lionesses. The purpose of the WU23s age group is to bridge the gap between the pathway and the senior team. Playing in the European league has helped us do exactly that, giving our players experience playing in bigger stadiums and in front of bigger crowds. It’s helped us ensure they will be ready and prepared to move across to the seniors if and when that time comes.

“We want to finish the season strongly against Sweden. I hope as many Lionesses fans as possible turn out in Telford to cheer the team on. It promises to be a great game and you’ll have the chance to the next generation in action.”

The Squad 

Goalkeepers: Kayla Rendell (Southampton), Fran Stenson (Sheffield United), Lucy Thomas (Birmingham City) 

Defenders: Tara Bourne (Sheffield United), Anouk Denton (West Ham), Freya Gregory (Aston Villa), Ella Morris (Southampton), Poppy Pattinson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Mia Ross (Charlton Athletic), Hannah Silcock (Blackburn Rovers, 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), Maisie Symonds (Brighton & Hove Albion) 

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