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GOALKEEPERS

Name

Age

Club

Standing in team

Background

Karen Bardsley

26

Sky Blue

Bardsley has been a regular for England since the turn of the year, and will hope to hold on to her starting spot ahead of the more experienced Rachel Brown.

Born and raised in California to English parents, she has spent her entire career in the United States but says she relates more to her family in Stockport.

Rachel Brown

30

Everton

England's first-choice keeper at the last three international tournaments, Brown has struggled with injuries that have restricted her to three Women's Super League games this year.

Brown was sent off in England's play-off against Switzerland when Ramona Bachmann convinced the referee that Brown pulled her hair while trying to retrieve the ball. The dismissal was overturned.

Siobhan Chamberlain

27

Bristol

Third in the pecking order having been an unused substitute at the 2009 European Championship and the 2007 World Cup.

Joined Bristol in 2010, helping her team to the FA Cup final and although they were beaten by Arsenal they will appear in the Women's Champions League next season.

DEFENDERS

Sophie Bradley

21

Lincoln

One of five players making their major tournament debut, Bradley was picked at centre-back in the recent friendly win over Sweden in the absence of injured captain Faye White.

Bradley made her senior debut less than a year ago but captained the successful under-19 side. Also works part-time in a care home looking after the elderly.

Claire Rafferty

22

Chelsea

The newest recruit to the senior set-up, Rafferty made her debut in March 2010. She is renowned as a tough-tackling left-back or left midfielder.

Has represented England at Under-19 and Under-20 levels, after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament in her knee. She has also completed an economics degree at Loughborough.

Alex Scott

26

Boston

First-choice right-back since 2005 and key to England's attacking threat as she likes to get forward.

Played the majority of her career at Arsenal, having come through the ranks and is now a team-mate of Kelly Smith's in the US.

Casey Stoney

29

Lincoln

A centre-back who can play at left-back too, she has partnered Faye White in the centre of defence in recent games.

Spent the majority of her career at Chelsea but moved to Lincoln, who were able to provide her with full-time training.

Dunia Susi

23

Birmingham

Generally plays in midfield for her club but has offered cover at right-back for England.

Has had spells with London clubs Arsenal, Fulham and Chelsea before spending a year in the US. Also has a business economics degree.

Rachel Unitt

29

Everton

Casey Stoney was preferred at left-back for the last two tournaments but Unitt is back in favour now and scored three times in World Cup qualifying.

Another player who is closing on 100 caps, her link play with left winger Rachel Yankey extends back to the days when they both played for Fulham.

Faye White

33

Arsenal

The captain has had an uncertain build-up to the World Cup after suffering a knee injury, but her return to the side will boost the team no end.

White works as a development officer for Arsenal and was awarded an MBE in 2007.

MIDFIELDERS

Anita Asante

26

Sky Blue

Can play in defence or midfield and will likely provide cover in the latter. Katie Chapman's international retirement has given her a better chance of starting in that position.

Another player who began her career at Arsenal, she has now been based in America since 2009.

Laura Bassett

27

Birmingham

Another versatile player who can play in defence or midfield, she captains Birmingham Ladies who top the Women's Super League table at the halfway stage.

Bassett will keep other midfielders on their toes and the team's brains sharp as she is charged with being the squad's chief quiz master.

Jess Clarke

22

Lincoln

Started on the right wing in England's wins over the US and Sweden, with a goal against the Americans. Provides width and pace and might be preferred to Karen Carney.

Came through the ranks at Leeds and is one of three Lincoln players in the squad alongside Casey Stoney and Sophie Bradley.

Stephanie Houghton

23

Arsenal

Versatile midfielder Houghton will hope she makes it to Germany in one piece after picking up injuries before the last World Cup and European Championship.

Comes from the north east of England and moved to Arsenal from Leeds for the start of the Super League. Has a degree in sports science.

Jill Scott

24

Everton

Played in the last World Cup in China aged only 20, Scott has established an Everton core in midfield alongside team-mate Fara Williams.

Known as a bit of a joker in the England camp, the tall figure is a fiercely determined player and was a talented athlete as a schoolgirl.

Fara Williams

27

Everton

England coach Hope Powell would have been relieved Williams recovered in time from her knee injury. Takes the majority of England's set-pieces.

Williams was England's top scorer in qualifying. She is fiercely competitive and wants to go all the way in Germany.

Rachel Yankey

31

Arsenal

Yankey has hit the heights again after her shock omission for the 2009 European Championship and will switch with Clarke on either wing. Scored in the win over the US.

Along with Kelly Smith has over 100 caps and was made a MBE in 2005.

FORWARDS

Eniola Aluko

24

Sky Blue

Made a big impact after coming on as a substitute in the recent win over Sweden, the .

The World Cup will be her fourth major tournament. Graduated with a first-class law degree, she has her own practice dealing with sports law. Her brother Sone plays for Aberdeen.

Karen Carney

23

Birmingham

Carney can play as a forward or a winger, she may have to play second fiddle to Jess Clarke in the latter position. Was also impressive against Sweden.

Moved to Birmingham after a spell in the US and has played for Arsenal. Has been in good form for her club scoring three goals in seven games.

Kelly Smith

32

Boston

England's most experienced player, but still their star, Smith will be playing behind the front line in what might be her final World Cup.

Smith is England's leading scorer and will strike fear into opposition defences with her running with the ball. Played alongside coach Hope Powell when making her debut in 1995.

Ellen White

22

Arsenal

Has given England an added presence up front, since making her debut in 2010. She has five goals in 14 appearances for England.

White offers a different prospect to Aluko and began her footballing career at an academy run by her father.