White’s return boosts Neville

Ellen White has been called up to the England women’s squad for the friendlies against Germany and Czech Republic after recovering from a knee injury.

The Manchester City striker scored six times in the World Cup to help England reach the semi-finals, but has not played for Phil Neville’s side since suffering the injury during pre-season and undergoing surgery. She joined her team-mates at St George’s Park yesterday ahead of Saturday’s match against Germany, when the Lionesses will play in front of a record-breaking home crowd at a sold-out Wembley. England’s final fixture of the year is next Tuesday in Ceske Budejovice.

White’s return comes after she scored her first goal for City (and her first since the World Cup) on Sunday against former club Birmingham in the League Cup, to end the club’s three-game losing streak.

White, 30, described her eagerness to return to the England camp which, until yesterday, was only going to be in a training capacity.

“I’m very hopeful [of playing at Wembley],” she said. “I’ve been hammering Phil to play against Germany. I haven’t been with the team since the World Cup, so I’m excited to meet up and you never know what’s going to happen.”

In White’s absence, England have struggled for form, winning just one of their four post-world Cup friendlies. Their unconvincing performances have seen pressure mounting on manager Neville, and an in-form White could offer the clinical finishing which England have been lacking.