With the FA WSL Continental Cup final on the 1st of November straight after the players’ return from China, Mark Sampson has decided to rest some players from Arsenal Ladies and Notts County Ladies.
This is a bizzare decision to select the Arsenal captain and rest the other players as there are four defenders in that squad who can play at right-back. First choice Lucy Bronze, back-up Alex Scott, up and coming youngster Hannah Blundell who is getting her first call-up and the England captain Stephanie Houghton who was an excellent right-back for years at Arsenal.
Goalkeepers: Karen Bardsley (Manchester City), Mary Earps (Bristol Academy), Rachael Laws (Sunderland)
Defenders: Hannah Blundell (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Gilly Flaherty (Chelsea), Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Claire Rafferty (Chelsea), Alex Scott (Arsenal), Demi Stokes (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Isobel Christiansen (Manchester City), Laura Coombs (Chelsea), Jo Potter (Birmingham City), Jill Scott (Manchester City), Drew Spence (Chelsea)
Forwards: Eniola Aluko (Chelsea), Gemma Davison (Chelsea), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Sunderland), Lianne Sanderson (Portland Thorns), Jodie Taylor (Portland Thorns).