WORLD CUP CANADA 2015 QUALIFIER V MONTENEGRO

Cyprus Cup runners up to face Montenegro in 2015 qualifier in Brighton.

Mark Sampson's England Lionesses performed well in the Cyprus Cup in March, finishing runners-up, and now look forward to the next chapter in Sampson's reign.  The World Cup Canada 2015 qualifier will throw up a different kind of test for England.  Ranked 85th in the world, Montenegro will be seen as underdogs but, should not be underestimated.

For those unfamiliar with Montenegrin women's football, Montenegro sit at the foot of Group 6 having lost all of their first four games, scoring three goals and conceding thirteen.  In contrast, England are at the top of the group winning all four of their games so far and keeping four clean sheets in the process and putting away 20 goals, more than any other team in the group. Since the Cyprus Cup, the new Fifa world rankings were released and England have moved up three places into 8th.

New captain Steph Houghton will bring a different dynamic to the side with the Manchester City skipper relishing the opportunity to have a more influential role within the national set-up. Houghton's appointment comes the day before the qualifier against Montenegro as Mark Sampson looks to build for the future of the national side. At only 25, Houghton is experienced enough to wear the captain's armband but, still young enough to hold the position for years to come. Sampson seems to be shaping up a younger new look England that can play together for some time and build a dynamic that can last and build a unified squad, much in the same way Hope Powell had done. This group blends together youth and experience in a balanced way that benefits the players to get the best from them.



Full England squad:
Goal Keepers
Siobhan Chamberlain (Arsenal),  Mary Earps (Bristol Academy),  Carly Telford (Notts County)

Defenders
Laura Bassett (Chelsea),  Gemma Bonner (Liverpool),  Sophie Bradley (Notts County),  Lucy Bronze (Liverpool),  Alex Greenwood (Everton),  Steph Houghton (c) (Man City),  Alex Scott (Arsenal),  Demi Stokes (South Florida Bulls),  Casey Stoney (Arsenal)

Midfielders
Anita Asante (FCR Malmö),  Karen Carney (Birmingham City),  Jade Moore (Birmingham City),  Jill Scott (Man City),  Fara Williams (Liverpool)

Fowards
Eniola Aluko (Chelsea),  Natasha Dowie (Liverpool),  Toni Duggan (Man City),  Lianne Sanderson (Boston Breakers),  Kelly Smith (Arsenal),  Ellen White (Notts County)