HARROGATE'S Rachel Daly has been named in Sarina Weigman's 23-woman Lionesses squad for the 2023 Women's World Cup after an impressive season with Women's Super League outfit Aston Villa.
Daly won the 2022-23 Women's Super League golden boot, having netted 22 times in as many games for the Villains.
The 2023 World Cup will take place from July 20 to August 20 at venues across Australia and New Zealand.
Daly, 31, made her Lionesses debut in June 2016, and has since turned out 68 times for England across a range of positions.
She started every game in their 2022 UEFA Women's Euro's triumph at left-back, but switched to a forward role in a series of friendlies, prompting recently-retired teammate Ellen White to admit that Daly"will play wherever Weigman needs her."
Daly has proved to be proliferate in her new position, scoring both of England's goals in a 2-1 victory over Italy as in the Arnold Clark Cup in February.
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Speaking about her decision to include Daly in her squad, Weigman said:"She has had a very good season. She played as a number nine but also at the back and has good versatility for the team."
Aston Villa manager Carla Ward also called for Daly to start for England in that position, telling Sky Sports: "Rachel Daly, right now, should be England's starting number nine.
"The amount of goals that she's scored - 22 goals in 22 games at this level - is not easy.
"She's been unbelievable for England when she's started. She's done exceptionally well, she's scored goals and she's created.
"It's a no brainer. For me, she has to start in that number nine role."
Former York City star Jess Park, who has enjoyed a fantastic season with Everton, is named as a standby.
England Women's World Cup squad: Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton, Ellie Roebuck, Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood, Esme Morgan, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Laura Coombs, Jordan Nobbs, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh, Katie Zelem, Rachel Daly, Beth England, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Katie Robinson, Alessia Russo.
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