Squad fly to Spain to continue preparations (From Warrington Guardian)

Squad fly to Spain to continue preparations

With the countdown to the Women's Euro 2005 Championship well and truly on, the England Women's squad flew to La Manga in Spain on the morning of Monday, 10 January to continue their preparations for their opening fixture at the City of Manchester Stadium on Sunday 5 June.

Thirty players will depart from Heathrow for a week of warm-weather training after the Fourth Round of The FA Women's Cup, with competition for places stronger than ever.

With The FA confirming England will have a home international friendly against Italy on Thursday 17 February, the Algarve Cup in March and further friendlies planned in April and May, England's preparations are well in place for the next six months.

Further impetus will be gained on 19 January at the City of Manchester Stadium when Hope Powell and Faye White attend the Final Draw ceremony for the tournament and find out who their three Group A opponents will be.

Katie Holtham replaces Eniola Aluko in the squad next week with Aluko undertaking exams, whilst Kelly Smith joins up after hopefully getting some minutes on the pitch under her belt when Arsenal start their defence of The Women's FA Cup at home to AFC Wimbledon.

Kelly told TheFA.com's Tony Leighton earlier this week that her decision to come back to England was so that she could play as big a part as possible in the build-up to Euro 2005.

"I want to be involved in all the England training camps and friendly internationals leading up to the Euros, but also to help where I'm able, in promoting the event", she said.

"It's going to be the most exciting time ever for women's football in this country and I want to do whatever I can to help make the tournament a success."

Further good news is that Anita Asante of Arsenal who was first diagnosed with an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury before Christmas has had a minor operation after discovering that the injury was only a partial tear.

Anita has begun her rehabilitation work and whilst her recovery is still in its early stages, the England medical team will be keeping in contact with her over the coming months, ahead of the final squad announcement at the end of May.