Injuries hit Neville’s squad before US trip

PHIL NEVILLE’S hopes of making a flying start to his reign as England Women’s head coach have been hit by four major withdrawals from his first squad. The Lionesses head to the USA tomorrow for the SheBelieves Cup, a tournament which will see them face the host nation and Germany — the only teams above England in the world rankings — as well as France. But they make the trip across the Atlantic without captain and key defender Steph Houghton, who was injured last week playing for Manchester City and their vice-captain, Arsenal midfielder Jordan Nobbs. There have been two further injury-related pullouts,

with Chelsea forward Karen Carney, the second highest scorer in the squad of 23, and Arsenal midfielder Leah Williamson. Abbie McManus, the Manchester City midfielder, and Arsenal’s Beth Mead are in line to be called up. Neville watched Arsenal face Everton Ladies at Boreham Wood last night and will attend City’s game with Chelsea today. In Houghton and Carney’s absence, Lyon defender Lucy Bronze is a contender to take the armband for England’s three games, the first of which is against France on Thursday in Columbus, Ohio.