Interviews

International experience improves our players, says Powell

Ten members of Albion's squad with their countries this week.

By Bruce Talbot • 18 October 2021

By Kyle Hemsley
Maya Le Tissier has received her first England under-23 call-up

Hope Powell will lose ten members of her squad next week to international duty, but believes the experience will make them better players when they return to prepare for the FA Cup semi-final at the end of the month.

Maya Le Tissier, Ellie Brazil, Katie Robinson, Rinsola Babajide and on-loan goalkeeper Fran Stenson were this week called-up for an England under-23 friendly against Belgium on 26 October.

Midfielder Maisie Symonds will be with England’s under-19s at the four-nation tournament in Limerick while Emma Koivisto, Kayleigh Green and Megan Connolly will be with Finland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland respectively for World Cup qualifiers.

Albion’s pathway players are also representing the club on the international stage. Ella Humphrey and Megan Currie are with Wales under-19s at a World Cup qualifying tournament in Andorra where they will play the host country, Estonia and Albania while Maisie Miller is with Wales under-17s. Lea Cordier will represent Belgium under-21s during the international break.

By Paul Hazlewood
Maisie Symonds is heading to Ireland with England under-19s for a four-nation tournament.

“The training ground is going to be pretty quiet for a few days but it is great to have so many players potentially representing their countries,” said Powell, the former England manager.

“I’m really pleased for the girls going away with England under-23s. It’s a stepping stone to the full squad and it gives them an opportunity to do some really good work and hopefully they will come back inspired and refreshed and ready for the Arsenal game.”

Albion face the Gunners at Boreham Wood on Sunday 31 October (4.45pm) and the Vitality FA Cup semi-final will be live on BBC Two.

They go into the game having won twice in four days, defeating Tottenham 2-1 in the WSL before easing to a 1-0 win over Birmingham City in the Conti Cup last Wednesday. “We had a good week but was tough physically and we will have a bit of a break now so the players can recover before we start thinking about Arsenal,” added Powell.