Photo: Lynne Cameron for The FA
Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating makes her first start for the Lionesses against Brazil in a friendly on Saturday evening.
And to make it even more special, the lifelong City fan will be walking out at the City of Manchester Stadium.
She said earlier in the week that she was looking forward to the occasion at home: “I think obviously supporting City and playing for City, it’s always going to be a special one, and hopefully the Manchester crowd will come through.”
Keating has been part of many senior squads in the past but never yet made her full debut.
She gets her chance this time round due to an injury forcing Hannah Hampton out of the squad.
Maya Le Tissier in from the start
Manchester United captain Maya Le Tissier starts in the backline, despite ongoing controversy about her best position.
England boss Sarina Wiegman has previously made it plain that she sees Le Tissier contributing at right back for the national side, but United’s official social media accounts took a few sly digs at that idea, pointing out that almost all of her club appearances for the Red Devils have been in the centre of defence.
From the starting line-up, though, it looks as if Le Tissier will indeed be at full back – with Alex Greenwood of Manchester City on the opposite side.
Jess Carter and Esme Morgan – both of whom play their club football in the USA – should therefore link up in the middle of defence.
However, the defence may line up differently when the match starts.
Chelsea’s Keira Walsh captains the team – with Leah Williamson still out injured and long-serving vice-captain Millie Bright now confirming her retirement from international football – with Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone also in the centre of the park.
And a trio of Arsenal stars round off the starting eleven – Beth Mead, Alessia Russo, and Chloe Kelly.
The Lionesses team
England’s starting line-up: 1 Khiara Keating, 2 Maya Le Tissier, 3 Alex Greenwood, 4 Keira Walsh (captain), 5 Jess Carter, 6 Esme Morgan, 7 Beth Mead, 8 Georgia Stanway, 9 Alessia Russo, 10 Ella Toone, 11 Chloe Kelly.
Substitutes: 12 Lucy Bronze, 13 Anna Moorhouse, 14 Lucia Kendall, 15 Niamh Charles, 16 Aggie Beever-Jones, 17 Michelle Agyemang, 18 Missy-Bo Kearns, 19 Jess Naz, 20 Laura Blindkilde-Brown, 21 Sophie Baggaley, 22 Grace Fisk, 23 Taylor Hinds.
