England predicted lineup vs Nigeria - Women's World Cup
- England face Nigeria in Women's World Cup last 16
- Lionesses thrashed China in final group match
- Keira Walsh could be available after knee injury
England start the next stage of their 2023 Women's World Cup campaign by taking on Nigeria in the last 16 of the tournament.
The Lionesses finally roared into life aganist China in their final Group D game, inspired by Lauren James, who had a direct hand hand in five of the six goals scored.
Sarina Wiegman has already said that if Keira Walsh is deemed fully fit after returning to training on Sunday, she will be available for selection. Katie Zelem successfully filled in for the Barcelona midfielder in the China game, while Wiegman also has decisions to make over whether she keeps the 3-4-1-2 formation that worked so well or revert to her usual 4-3-3.
England predicted lineup vs Nigeria
GK: Mary Earps - Yet to be beaten from open play at this World Cup.
CB: Jess Carter - Well used to playing in a back three with Chelsea and was deservingly recalled to the lineup last time out.
CB: Millie Bright - Overcame a knee injury in a race against the clock just to make it to the World Cup and has described the rehab as "brutal". But she is getting sharper with each game.
CB: Alex Greenwood - Passing confidence and ability is likely to be important for England against a Nigeria side that won't just sit back and let them play.
RM: Lucy Bronze - Has always been an attacking full-back and suited operating further forward with Carter able to cover her position defensively.
CM: Katie Zelem - Did really well against China and could still keep her place ahead of Keira Walsh, who has only had one training session since being stretchered off against Denmark.
CM: Georgia Stanway - This is likely to be a physical game, so the bite and tenacity of the Bayern Munich midfielder will be an asset for England.
LM: Rachel Daly - Wouldn't have wanted to be utilised as anything other than a striker at the tournament, but by her own admission is happy as long as she is playing.
AM: Lauren James - The 21-year-old Chelsea star is England's ticket to World Cup glory this summer. She teased her quality against Denmark and then fully caught fire against China.
ST: Alessia Russo - Seemed much more at ease having two others forwards playing close to her, helping with the link-up play that she likes to get invovled in.
ST: Lauren Hemp - More central than she's used to, but it worked a treat against China. "I thought whenever someone gets the ball and turns and starts running, just start running yourself," she said.
READ THE LATEST LIONESSES WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 2023 NEWS HERE
feed