taylor-england-call-up

Sydney FC striker Jodie Taylor has been named in new England Women's coach Mark Sampson's first training in La Manga, Spain for January 2014.

For Taylor it is her first call up after being frozen out of the national team during former coach Hope Powell's tenure despite being nominated for the Professional Footballer's Association Player of the Year in 2012.

Taylor, who has been a standout for Sydney FC and previously Goteborg in Sweden, is one of 30 players announced for the training camp consisting of many players receiving their first call up including Jemma Rose, Rachel Daly and Gilly Flaherty while others like Lianne Sanderson return after years on the outer.

"We’ve got lots of new faces in the squad and that gives me a good opportunity to see where we are at and will help me make some decisions as we move forward," said Sampson of his selections.

"It is a training camp, it’s important to emphasise that. The door is fully open for every player."

"If they perform well for their club and they show that they want to play for England and do well then they’ll have a great opportunity to be involved in future squads."

The early-year camp in La Manga precludes England's first  friendly match against Norway on Friday 17 January.  After La Manga, England will once again compete in the annual Cyprus Cup in March, having won the competition last year, beating Canada in the final.

In a big couple of days, the Washington Spirit announced the signing of Jodie Taylor for the 2014 NWSL season, with a club option for 2015 NWSL season.

The Spirit originally acquired her discovery rights in a trade with Seattle Reign FC in October of this year.

“I am extremely excited to sign for the Washington Spirit and play in the NWSL.” Jodie Taylor said. “Returning to the states has been a long term goal of mine and I cant wait for the 2014 season.”

Taylor will join the Spirit squad in March for preseason.

“I am very excited to welcome Jodie to the Spirit and bring someone of her quality to the NWSL,” Spirit head coach and general manager Mark Parsons said. “Jodie is is a natural finisher and one of the best at what she does.”

Full Squad

Goalkeepers

Karen Bardsley (Manchester City), Rachel Brown-Finnis (Everton), Siobhan Chamberlain (Bristol Academy)

Defenders

Laura Bassett (Chelsea), Gemma Bonner (Liverpool), Sophie Bradley (Notts County), Lucy Bronze (Liverpool), Rachel Daly (LA Strikers), Gilly Flaherty (Arsenal), Alex Greenwood (Everton), Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Jemma Rose (Bristol Academy), Alex Scott (Arsenal), Demi Stokes (University of South Florida), Dunia Susi (Chelsea), Corinne Yorston (Bristol Academy)

Midfielders

Anita Asante (Malmo), Jade Moore (Birmingham City), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Jill Scott (Manchester City), Fara Williams (Liverpool)

Forwards

Eniola Aluko (Chelsea), Karen Carney (Birmingham City),Danielle Carter (Arsenal), Gemma Davison (Liverpool), Natasha Dowie (Liverpool), Toni Duggan (Manchester City), Lianne Sanderson (Boston Breakers), Jodie Taylor (Sydney), Ellen White (Arsenal).