Arsenal’s Rachel Yankee, OBE, has made it known that she is still available to be selected for England ahead of this summer’s World Cup in Canada.

The 35-year-old, who has been with Arsenal since she rejoined the club from New Jersey Wildcats in 2005, has not played for England since 2013 when she was left out of incoming manager Mark Sampson’s squad in December that year.

Despite stating that the door was still open to the midfielder who has 129 caps for her country (and five for Great Britain), she has not been able to force her way back into the side. Only Fara Williams (138) has more caps than the Arsenal player.

“I am still available,” Yankey said. “At this moment I’m not being picked.

“I’ve made it clear that I want to play for England. I still think I’m good enough, but that’s up to the manager.

“I haven’t retired from international football and I haven’t been told that I’m definitely not playing, so I’ve got to look at it that I’ve got as much chance as any other player in the WSL,” Yankey added.

“The team that goes (to Canada), their job is to go and do well and hopefully push on women’s football in this country.

“Whether I’m a part of that or not, I’m still an England fan wanting everybody to do well. If I’m there – brilliant, and I’ll play as well as I can.”

Five Arsenal players have been included in the squad to face China on 9th April (Chamberlain, Scott, Stoney, Nobbs, Sanderson) with the 25-person squad also containing a high number for former Arsenal players as they get ready for the finals which kick off on 6th June.

Arsenal face Notts County on Thursday 2nd April at Meadow Lane in their opening league game of the news season and the match will be shown live on BTSport.

Keep an eye out for our match preview.