INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
Venue: ProStar Stadium, Shrewsbury
Date: Thursday, 23 April
Kick-off: 1945 BST
Coverage: Match report on BBC Sport website

By Tony Leighton

Powell is looking to the future

England coach Hope Powell will turn to youth for Thursday's friendly against Norway at Shrewsbury's Prostar Stadium.

During qualifying for Euro 2009, Powell relied on the squad that had reached the 2007 World Cup quarter-finals.

After giving recent debuts to Dani Buet and Jess Clarke, Powell has called up Doncaster midfielder Rachel Williams and Arsenal striker Gemma Davison.

Powell's 26-strong squad includes the five players who are now plying their trade in America.

With Buet and Clarke also included in the squad Powell may have in mind the bold move she made for Euro 2005, when she introduced teenagers Karen Carney and Eniola Aluko to good affect.

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Both of those players are now established internationals and Powell said: "If a Carney or Aluko springs out it would be fantastic, but it's the long term future I'm thinking about, not just this year's Euro finals.

"It gives me the opportunity to see these younger players at close quarters and hopefully to help push them on towards senior international football."

But she has not been able to name captain Faye White as the Arsenal defender is still struggling with the knee injury that kept her out of the Cyprus Cup.

"Faye's fitness is not quite there yet," said Powell. "But she's on track and hopefully she will be okay for the Euros."

Powell will also be without another knee injury victim, Leeds Carnegie defender Steph Houghton, who has pulled out of the squad to be replaced by Birmingham City left back Michelle Hickmott.

But as her team prepares to face strong opposition Powell has every confidence.

Norway are ranked sixth in the world, four places higher than England, but after suffering a long string of defeats (11 in 12 meetings) against them, the last two games have been won.

Powell said: "Norway are one of the best teams in the world and it will be a big test, but we've done well against them of late and hopefully we can continue that trend."

England squad: Brown (Everton), Chamberlain (Chelsea), Telford (Leeds Carnegie), A. Scott (Boston Breakers), Stoney (Chelsea), Bassett (Arsenal), Yorston (Bristol Academy), Unitt (Everton), Johnson (Everton), Hickmott (Birmingham City), Asante (New York Sky Blue), J. Scott (Everton), F. Williams (Everton), K. Smith (Boston Breakers), Westwood (Everton), Chapman (Arsenal), Buet (Chelsea), R. Williams (Doncaster Rovers Belles), Yankey (Arsenal), S. Smith (Leeds Carnegie), Carney (Chicago Red Stars), Sanderson (Chelsea), Aluko (St Louis Athletica), Clarke (Leeds Carnegie), Handley (Everton), Davison (Arsenal).

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