MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 23:12:07| >> :600:867847:867847:

The big talking points ahead of England Women's clash with Canada

The big talking points ahead of England Women's clash with Canada
© Reuters
The friendly will be the Lionesses' third match under interim boss Hege Riise.

England Women are back in action on Tuesday when they face Canada at Stoke's bet365 Stadium.

The friendly will be the Lionesses' third match under interim boss Hege Riise – they beat Northern Ireland 6-0 in February and lost 3-1 away against France on Friday – and their final fixture before the Norwegian names her Great Britain squad for this summer's Tokyo Olympics.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the talking points surrounding the Canada game.

The battle for Olympic selection

Players will certainly be eager to impress Riise in Tuesday's game, with her 18-strong GB squad to be named next month. She has said the plan has been for "almost every" member of the 26-player England squad to get game time across this double-header of friendlies; 17 featured against France. That included one of four goalkeepers, Ellie RoebuckSandy MacIver, Carly Telford and Karen Bardsley are also in the group.

Bronze a doubt

Lucy Bronze
Lucy Bronze is a doubt for the Canada clash (John Walton/PA)

Others who did not play in the France match were Lucy Bronze, Demi Stokes, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Millie Turner and Esme Morgan. The experienced figures of Bronze and Stokes missed out with minor injuries, and Riise has said she is hopeful the latter will be ready to feature "for a few minutes", while a decision about Bronze was to be made after a training session on Monday. England are currently without the pair's fellow defender, injured skipper Steph Houghton – Ellen White is captaining in her absence.

A more clinical edge?

Riise has spoken of the "great answers" provided by the France game in terms of "what we need to improve and what has improved" in attack and defence, and highlighted the need to finish chances. While she wants improvement after what was an eighth defeat in 13 matches for England on Friday, Riise said she thinks "we are on a good road going forward."

Priestman reunion

Bev Priestman
Bev Priestman was the Lionesses' assistant boss under Phil Neville (Nick Potts/PA)

There will be a familiar face in the opposition dugout. Canada – joint-eighth in the world rankings, two places lower than England – are managed by Bev Priestman, who was the Lionesses' assistant boss under Phil Neville. Meanwhile, Riise is being assisted by a former Canada international in Rhian Wilkinson.

History-maker Sinclair

Canada captain Christine Sinclair has scored 186 goals in 296 international appearances (Mike Egerton/PA).
Canada captain Christine Sinclair has scored 186 goals in 296 international appearances (Mike Egerton/PA)

Canada's captain is Christine Sinclair, who last year became the top goalscorer in international football history. The 37-year-old has an incredible record of 186 goals in 296 appearances for her country, and she scored the winner when Canada beat England 1-0 in their last meeting in 2019. It remains to be seen if she plays on Tuesday after coming off early with an injury in Friday's 3-0 win against Wales.

ID:442904: cacheID:442904:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9867:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
 France's Viviane Asseyi celebrates scoring their second goal against England on April 9, 2021
Read Next:
Hege Riise insists France defeat provided "great answers"
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Chiefs
21-7
Browns
FT
Ravens
35-14
Giants
FT
Jets
32-25
Jags
FT
Cowboys
30-14
Panthers
FT
Washington
20-19
Saints
FT
Dolphins
12-20
Texans
FT
Bengals
37-27
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Bournemouth157352320324
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!