Layzell and Prior in latest England Under-23s squad | OneFootball

City defenders Naomi Layzell and Gracie Prior have been named in England Under-23s squad for fixtures with Germany and Belgium.

Emma Coates’ team will begin their WU23 European campaign with a meeting against Germany on Thursday 23 October at Sportpark Johannisau with kick-off scheduled for 17:15 (UK).

The competition will see England join nine other European nations, which are divided into two groups, with Coates’ side competing in Group A alongside Portugal, France, Germany and Norway.

The young Lionesses will then return to home soil as they face Portugal on Monday 27 October at 19:00 (UK) at Northampton Town's Sixfields Stadium.

The squad also played their first home fixture of the 2024/25 European competition against Portugal, as an 86th-minute free-kick saw them come away with a 1-0 win.

It follows news that four City stars have been named in the Sarina Wiegman’s squad for upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Australia.

As part of the ‘Homecoming Series’ Sarina Wiegman’s side will come face-to-face with the South American nation and reigning Copa America champions at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday 25 October, with kick-off scheduled for 17:30 (UK).

Congratulations to Naomi Layzell and Gracie Prior on their England Under-23s call-ups!

England U23 Squad

Goalkeepers: Katie Cox (Aberdeen, on loan from Chelsea), Faye Kirby (Liverpool), Natalia Negri (Ipswich Town)

Defenders: Cerys Brown (London City Lionesses), Anouk Denton (West Ham), Naomi Layzell (Manchester City), Gracie Prior (Manchester City), Evie Rabjohn (Sunderland, on loan from Manchester United), Hannah Silcock (Liverpool), Jess Simpson (Southampton, on loan from Manchester United), Mari Ward (Bristol City)

Midfielders: Sarah Brasero (West Ham), Laila Harbert (Portland Thorns, on loan from Arsenal), Ruby Mace (Everton), Olivia McLoughlin (Leicester City), Lexi Potter (Chelsea), Maisie Symonds (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Forwards: Keira Barry (Sunderland, on loan from Manchester United), Mia Enderby (Liverpool), Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses), Isobel Goodwin (London City Lionesses), Lenna Gunning-Williams (Tottenham Hotspur), Georgia Mullett (Aston Villa)