SHELLEY Kerr says competition for places in Scotland's squad is the most intense she can recall as the clock winds down towards this summer's World Cup in France. Her side will play Chile and Brazil in two of the last three games before the tournament.
Both, on April 5 and 8, are at the Pinatar Arena in Spain and after announcing her 23 players for the friendlies, the Scotland head coach said: “Even as a player I can't remember a Scotland squad being as competitive as this. It's probably the strongest one I have named as well.
“It's all credit to the players and their clubs, they are making it very difficult for me to select. I'm not surprised that when you are going to a World Cup everybody wants to be on that plane.
“The hardest part of the job is making these phone calls to players (who have dropped out). I'll always do it, because I like to be up front with them, but it's not a nice thing to do.”
READ MORE: Kieran Tierney ruled out of Kazakhstan qualifier, Callum McGregor named Scotland captain
Reading defender Sophie Howard and Arsenal forward Lisa Evans return to the squad after missing the Algarve Cup through injury, with the Bristol City duo of Frankie Brown and Abi Harrison making way. Fiorentina striker Lana Clelland and Arsenal left-back Emma Mitchell remain unavailable but will be hoping to return for the final preparation game in Scotland at the end of May.
Kerr believes Chile and Brazil will provide the ideal opposition ahead of the Group D game against Argentina in Paris on June 19. All five games so far in 2019 have been against sides more in the mould of group top seeds England.
“We have watched Chile several times and they are good, no doubt about it,” the head coach said. “Brazil are ranked tenth in the world and have flair players.”
The most notable of these is Marta, who has won the Fifa women's world player of the year award six times and has been described by Pele himself as his female equivalent. “She is a phenomenal player, and has been for years,” Kerr confirmed of the 33-year-old.
Scotland played both of next month's opponents in a friendly tournament in Brasilia at the end of 2013. They lost 3-1 to Brazil, with Marta getting the opener, and 4-3 to Chile.
Scotland squad
Goalkeepers: Lee Alexander (Glasgow City), Jenna Fife (Hibernian), Shannon Lynn (Vittsjö GIK)
Defenders: Chloe Arthur (Birmingham City), Jen Beattie (Manchester City), Rachel Corsie (Utah Royals), Nicola Docherty (Glasgow City), Sophie Howard (Reading), Joelle Murray (Hibernian), Kirsty Smith (Manchester United)
Midfielders: Lizzie Arnot (Manchester United), Leanne Crichton (Glasgow City), Hayley Lauder (Glasgow City), Kim Little (Arsenal), Jo Love (Glasgow City), Christie Murray (Liverpool), Caroline Weir (Manchester City)
Forwards: Fiona Brown (FC Rosengard), Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Claire Emslie (Manchester City), Lisa Evans (Arsenal), Zoe Ness (Durham), Jane Ross (West Ham United)
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