Women's World Cup: Extend WSL break, says Notts County boss

Alex Greenwood (l) and Ellen White are two of four Notts County Ladies players in England's World Cup squad

The Women's Super League break should be extended so clubs and the competition can get the best out of returning World Cup players, according to Notts County boss Rick Passmoor.

England face Germany in the third-fourth play-off on Saturday, a week before Notts visit Sunderland.

The Magpies have had five players involved in the World Cup in Canada.

"It's about doing the best for the game, promoting it the best way and the welfare of the players," said Passmoor.

Passmoor confirmed he is only likely to have one training session to assess his full squad next week, and admits he will be cautious with those players involved in the World Cup.

Fourth-placed Sunderland, who host Notts at the Hetton Centre on 12 July, are one of two top-flight sides that did not have a player at this summer's World Cup.

Notts captain Laura Bassett, whose injury-time own goal on Thursday put Japan into Sunday's final, will be one of four England players to return to the third-placed club. Canada midfielder Desiree Scott is poised to make her first appearance for the Lady Magpies after spending the first half of the season with her national side.

"We want the Laura Bassetts and the Alex Greenwoods on the Meadow Lane pitch for the supporters as well," Passmoor told BBC Sport. "That is what they come to watch. Therefore, if a game has to be rearranged then it has to be rearranged.

"We have four games in 14 days, Wembley to look forward to, a big fixture programme up until November.

"You want these players knocking on your door wanting to play in October and November. If we burn them out we are back to square one and no-one is a winner.

"Maybe we will have one session to make the shout if they are ready, if they are mentally and physically in the right place."