SCOTLAND Women's coach Anna Signeul admits to some apprehension about having to face France without three key players later this month.
Captain Kim Little and holding midfielder Rachel Corsie are required by their club Seattle Reign, while former captain and record cap holder Gemma Fay is ruled out by a knee injury. In the absence of Little and Fay, former Glasgow City captain Corsie would have been a strong contender to lead the side.
"We have lost three leaders," admitted Signeul, who was in Berlin for Thursday night's Women's Champions League final between Frankfurt and Paris Saint-Germain. The Swede is praying that two more experienced players, Ifeoma Dieke and Leanne Crichton, recover from niggles in time for the friendly in Nancy on May 28.
Both were named yesterday in Signeul's 20-player squad for France's final preparation game ahead of next month's World Cup. The French are third in the Fifa women's rankings and among the bookmakers' favourites to win in Canada next month.
"I hope Ifeoma and Leanne are fit, otherwise we would have five very experienced players out against a team who are short odds to win the World Cup," Signeul said.
Promising young Hibs midfielder Lizzie Arnot is promoted from the under-19 side to the full squad but Julie Fleeting is again missing because of a persistent calf strain.
Squad: Shannon Lynn (Vittsjo), Megan Cunningham (Glasgow City), Lzzie Arnot (Hibs), Jenny Beattie (Man City), Fiona Brown (Glasgow City), Frankie Brown (Bristol), Lana Clelland (Bari), Leanne Crichton (Notts Co), Ifeoma Dieke (Vittsjo), Lisa Evans (Potsdam), Hayley Lauder, Jo Love (both Glasgow City), Eilish McSorley (Mallbackens), Emma Mitchell (Arsenal), Christie Murray (Bristol), Joelle Murray (Hibs), Jane Ross (Vittsjo), Leanne Ross (Glasgow City), Kirsty Smith (Hibs), Caroline Weir (Arsenal).
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