West Ham defender Anouk Denton joins England squad ahead of Australia friendly | OneFootball

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West Ham defender Anouk Denton has received her first senior England call-up ahead of the Lionesses’ friendly with Australia on Tuesday night.

Denton had originally been named in the U23 squad for their WU23 European competition fixtures against Portugal and Germany.

She started in the young Lionesses’ heavy 5-0 defeat to Germany on Thursday night and would have been expected to feature against Portugal tonight.

However, she has received a late call-up to the senior squad and could receive her first cap on Tuesday night.

Why has Anouk Denton been promoted to the senior England team?

Anouk Denton has been promoted to the senior England team but not to replace any players.

The Lionesses saw several withdrawals before their 2-1 defeat to Brazil on Saturday night. The most recent of which was Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben-Moy due to illness on Friday.

There have also been some new call-ups, including Brighton goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley, who was brought up to the squad after Hannah Hampton was ruled out for the Brazil game with a minor elbow injury.

Denton has likely been called up to the squad as the replacement for Wubben-Moy.

There is a limited number of centre-back options currently training with Sarina Wiegman’s side.

Jess Carter and Esme Morgan started the Brazil defeat at centre-back, before Maya Le Tissier moved across from right-back when Lucy Bronze was introduced in the second-half.

Alex Greenwood can play at centre-back, but like Le Tissier, Wiegman generally uses her as a full-back. Liverpool’s Grace Fisk is in the squad but remains uncapped.

Denton will hope that she can play some part, even if a limited role, against Australia in Derby on Tuesday night.

How Denton earned her place in the Lionesses squad

Denton has represented England at U17, U19 and U23 level before receiving her first senior England call-up on Monday morning.

The 22-year-old made her senior debut with Arsenal in a 6-1 victory over Tottenham in October 2020.

She originally joined West Ham on loan in 2021 before returning permanently in 2023 after a spell in the United States with Louisville Cardinals at the University of Louisville.

Since returning to the club, she has made 55 appearances for the Hammers and scored two goals.

Denton has played a regular part for a West Ham side this season who are yet to score a point.

She struggled in heavy defeats to Brighton and Chelsea, but put in good performances against Aston Villa and London City Lionesses despite suffering narrow losses in those games.