Powell gets set for decisive match

Hope Powell has named her squad for England's "vitally important" FIFA Women's World Cup Group 5 qualifier against France in Blackburn on 26 March.

One change
Powell makes one change from the side that defeated Iceland 1-0 last week, recalling Laura Bassett for the suspended Faye White. The Arsenal LFC forward Kelly Smith will be looking to earn her 50th cap at Ewood Park, where she could come up against former New Jersey Wildcats team-mate Marinette Pichon. Pichon has scored 78 goals in 104 appearances for France.

'Tremendous support'
France beat England over two legs in a World Cup play-off back in 2002, when 1-0 victories at Selhurst Park and in Saint-Etienne were enough to take Les Bleues to the 2003 finals in the United States. Powell said: "After the tremendous support we received at Ewood Park last summer, when a total of more than 40,000 fans watched England's two WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ games there, it's good to be going back for this vitally important 2007 World Cup qualifier.

Unbeaten run
"Since the EURO we are unbeaten in six matches, including victories in our three World Cup qualifiers to date, but although that record has obviously given the team confidence it means nothing in terms of our meeting with France. The French are the highest-ranked nation in our five-team qualifying group and are favourites to finish on top of the table and thus take the group's only available place at the world finals in China.

'Technical ability'
"I watched France's surprise defeat by the Netherlands earlier in this campaign and have also seen France this week at the Algarve Cup. They have shown they have great technical ability and all-round strength. So although we are currently in a great position in the qualifying group, we will be taking nothing for granted against a team that has a good record against us over the last few years."

England squad
Goalkeepers: Rachel Brown (Everton LFC), Siobhan Chamberlain (Bristol Academy WFC).

Defenders: Lindsay Johnson (Everton LFC), Mary Phillip (Arsenal LFC), Alex Scott (Arsenal LFC), Casey Stoney (Charlton Athletic WFC), Rachel Unitt (Everton LFC), Laura Bassett (Birmingham City LFC).

Midfielders: Anita Asante (Arsenal LFC), Katie Chapman (Charlton Athletic WFC), Vicky Exley (Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC), Kelly Smith (Arsenal LFC), Fara Williams (Everton LFC).

Forwards: Eniola Aluko (Charlton Athletic WFC), Amanda Barr (Charlton Athletic WFC), Karen Carney (Birmingham City LFC), Jody Handley (Everton LFC), Josanne Potter (Charlton Athletic WFC), Sue Smith (Leeds United LFC), Rachel Yankey (Arsenal LFC).