Made in Blackburn, and heading to the World Cup, Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway have been named in the Lionesses squad for this summer's tournament in France.
Midfielder Walsh, who came through Rovers’ Centre of Excellence, and Stanway, who came through the same route and also played six games for Rovers Ladies in 2014/15, have been confirmed in Phil Neville’s squad.
The call-up comes after the pair had helped Manchester City win the FA Cup against West Ham earlier this month. Walsh scored in that game, while Stanway was recently named as PFA Young Player of the Year.
Rovers Ladies boss Gemma Donnelly said: “It shows the ability we have at Blackburn Rovers to be able to produce homegrown talent.
"And give them the opportunity in competitive football and nurture them into real potential talents."
The members of the squad were announced one by one on the Lionesses Twitter feed via a series of videos featuring famous faces.
Walsh’s inclusion was made by Radio 1 DJ Monki, while Manchester City and England star Raheem Sterling wished Stanley well after confirming her call-up for her first World Cup.
.@stanwaygeorgia 🏴🦁
— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) May 8, 2019
Congratulations on making the @lionesses squad, very well deserved. We are all behind you, bring it home girls !! #BeReady pic.twitter.com/zDGVmQQll1
The pair were both involved in the squad which helped the Lionesses lift the She Believes Cup earlier this year.
Boss Neville said: "This is a significant moment in our World Cup campaign and I want to congratulate all of the players in our squad.
"I must also thank those who just missed out for all of their efforts. We would not be in this position without them, they have played a big part in our World Cup journey and I know they will be our biggest supporters this summer.
"Picking a squad is never easy but I believe in this group and I know they will be ready to help us perform at our very best at the finals.
"We know what we are capable of achieving and are determined to do all we can to be successful. We keep saying it but the hard work starts now and we are going to give it everything we have to make the nation proud."
Goalkeepers: Karen Bardsley (Manchester City), Mary Earps (Wolfsburg), Carly Telford (Chelsea)
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Lyon), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Alex Greenwood (Manchester United), Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Abbie McManus (Manchester City), Demi Stokes (Manchester City) Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Karen Carney (Chelsea), Jade Moore (Reading), Jill Scott (Manchester City), Lucy Staniforth (Birmingham), Georgia Stanway (Manchester City), Keira Walsh (Manchester City)
Forwards: Toni Duggan (Barcelona), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Manchester City), Jodie Taylor (Seattle Reign), Ellen White (Birmingham)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel