International calls reflect strength in Powell's squad

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Manager delighted so many Albion players will be at the World Cup.

Bruce Talbot

2022-10-16T05:00:00Z

Hope Powell's team take on Manchester United this Sunday.

Hope Powell says the number of internationals in her squad is a reflection of the strength in depth of her squad.

During the most recent international break, Albion had nine players with their countries and it was a week to remember for goalkeeper Meg Walsh, who was part of the Republic of Ireland squad that reached the World Cup finals for the first time following a play-off win against Scotland on Tuesday.

Elisabeth Terland (Norway) and Julia Zigiotti and Emma Kullberg (Sweden) can also expect to be at next year’s finals in New Zealand and Australia, while Megan Connolly (Ireland) and Rebekah Stott (New Zealand) are likely to be involved too once they recover from injury.

Kayleigh Green was part of the Wales squad that missed out on the finals after losing a play-off against Switzerland while Katie Robinson, Jorja Fox and Poppy Pattinson all represented England’s under-23s and academy players Ella Humphrey and Megan Curran played for Wales under-23s.

Manager Powell said, “It’s fantastic that the club could have six players at the finals next year, including [Geummin] Lee, because South Korea had already qualified.

“I’m so pleased for all the girls. Hopefully Meg [Connolly] and Stotty will be fit again soon not only to help us but with the finals in mind next year.

“It reflects well on the club. We have three players in the England under-23s and, of course, Robbo [Katie Robinson] was on standby for the senior squad in this break.”

Albion head to Manchester United on Sunday looking to build on their 2-1 win over Reading in their last WSL fixture three weeks ago.

United have won their last eight games in a row at Leigh Sports Village but Powell says Albion will go there confident of getting a positive result. “We know it’s going to be tough. We might not have a lot of the ball, we know that, so we need to make the most of the possession we have.

"It’s encouraging that we’ve scored four goals in the last two games, I think we have a goal threat in the team and when we get those chances we have to be clinical.”

The game is live on BBC 2, kick-off 12pm.