Norfolk's Lauren Hemp has been named in Sarina Wiegman’s England squad for this summer’s World Cup.
The 22-year-old former Norwich City player has become an integral part of the England squad as well as being a major player for Manchester City, where she has just celebrated her fifth anniversary.
City’s head coach Gareth Taylor believes the winger is yet to reach her final form.
“Lauren has done so much in such a short career to date," he told the club's official web site. "In the five years she’s been here she’s been successful at a club level and international level and we see that continuing.
“Lauren is someone who wants to feel settled, who wants to feel loved, wants to feel familiar with the people and she has that opportunity here. We’re really excited about where this player can go because like I say she has done so much, she’s got such capabilities and I also think she’s got a lot more to come. She’s still a very young player with a lot of really good football in front of her.”
Hemp is joined in the England squad by striker Bethany England, who has not been involved for her country since last September, but gets a recall after scoring 12 Women’s Super League goals for Tottenham since joining them from Chelsea in January.
But there is no return for Euro 2022 Golden Boot winner and player of the tournament Beth Mead, having lost her battle against time after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in November.
Millie Bright and Lucy Bronze, also sidelined of late, do feature in a 23-player list from which skipper Leah Williamson and Fran Kirby had already been ruled out due to injury.
Jordan Nobbs is included as well, despite sustaining an injury in Aston Villa’s penultimate game of the season, Katie Zelem has been brought back after not making the last squad in April and there is no recall for Williamson’s predecessor as captain Steph Houghton.
Jess Park, Maya Le Tissier and Emily Ramsey have been named on standby.
Wiegman’s European champions get their campaign at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand under way by facing Haiti in Brisbane on July 22 and will also take on Denmark and China in Group D.
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