SheBelieves Cup: West Ham defender Grace Fisk earns first England call-up
- Published
Grace Fisk captained England to bronze at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in 2018
England Women's coach Phil Neville has handed Grace Fisk her first senior call-up as he names a young squad for their SheBelieves Cup defence in March.
The West Ham defender, 22, is one of six in the 23-player squad who played at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in 2018, where she captained England to bronze.
Neville has recalled Everton striker Chloe Kelly, 22, who made her one senior appearance in November 2018.
Arsenal forward Beth Mead has been left out due to injury.
The 24-year-old, who has 25 caps and has scored seven goals this season, picked up the injury in Thursday's win over Liverpool.
"It is a blow with Beth," said Neville. "I think Beth has been in the best form of her career this season.
"I knew as soon as she went down - the clash of knees - that something wasn't right."
Goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck is included despite wearing a protective boot after Manchester City's FA Cup win against Ipswich on Sunday, but Manchester United's first-choice keeper Mary Earps has been left out.
England have to go and win the SheBelieves Cup again - Neville
England will defend their title at the SheBelieves Cup in the United States from 5-11 March, having won the annual invitational tournament for the first time in 2019.
Fisk was playing college football in the US for the South Carolina Gamecocks before earning a move to West Ham in December.
"This is an exciting moment for the England Women's team," Neville added. "With eight of our squad under the age of 23 we are focusing on developing the incredible young talent we have in the women's game with a keen eye on Euro 2021 in 16 months' time."
Birmingham City goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and striker Alessia Russo, who plays for North Carolina Tar Heels, will join the squad for training sessions in the US as part of their ongoing development.
England will play hosts United States, Japan and Spain in the US in their first fixtures since their 3-2 win in a friendly in the Czech Republic on 12 November.
England squad: Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Rachel Daly, Toni Duggan, Bethany England, Grace Fisk, Alex Greenwood, Lauren Hemp, Steph Houghton, Chloe Kelly, Sandy MacIver, Abbie McManus, Jordan Nobbs, Nikita Parris, Ellie Roebuck, Jill Scott, Lucy Staniforth, Georgia Stanway, Demi Stokes, Carly Telford, Keira Walsh, Ellen White, Leah Williamson.