08 March 2020

Phil Neville says Beth England will start for England against Japan in tonight's SheBelieves Cup

England football manager Phil Neville has said that Beth England will start in their SheBelieves Cup match against Japan tonight.

England made an appearance in the Lionesses' match against the US on Thursday but came off the bench.

Neville said: "The plan was always for Bethany to start against Japan. It would have been an unbelievable ask for her to start against the USA and to come off the back of a Continental Cup final.

"She is still in that period of getting used to the surroundings. We have got to think about the long-term for Beth. We know her qualities and the improvements in her.

"I just want her to do what she does for Chelsea. I don't want anything else, other than that."

England has scored 14 goals in the Women's Super League alone for Chelsea this season.

Japan v England will kick off this evening at 6.15pm and is screened on BBC 2.

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