Aston Villa midfielder Lucy Staniforth has joined the England squad on standby for the Women’s World Cup.
Staniforth has been called up to replace Manchester City’s Jess Park and will team up with Sarina Wiegman’s side at their St. George’s Park training camp on Tuesday.
Park had originally been named on a standby list for next month’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand, but will now return to her club for rehabilitation on a shoulder injury sustained in May.
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Staniforth joins Manchester United’s Maya Le Tissier on standby and both players will remain with Wiegman’s squad until England’s opening match against Haiti in Brisbane on July 22.
Staniforth, 30, joined Villa from Manchester United on a free transfer in January, going on to make 13 Women’s Super League appearances last term for Carla Ward’s side.
England face Portugal on Saturday, July 1 in their final warm-up game at a sold-out Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, before flying to Australia on Wednesday, July 5.
The Women’s World Cup runs from July 20 to August 20 — follow all the latest news with The Athletic.
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