Johnson answers England call

Fresh from helping Everton LFC into the UEFA Women's Cup second qualifying round, defender Lindsay Johnson has been called into England's FIFA Women's World Cup squad after Leeds United LFC's Stephanie Houghton was injured in training.

Houghton blow
Houghton sustained a spiral fracture of the fibula in a training session today and has been ruled out of the World Cup in China, which runs from 10-30 September. England fly east to Macau on Sunday for a fortnight-long training camp, before transferring on 3 September to Shanghai, where they open their Group A campaign against Japan before meeting holders Germany and Argentina.

'Over the moon'
Johnson, 27, was part of England's UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ squad and has been capped 19 times, including the draw in France that ensured qualification for the World Cup last September. After returning from Lithuania, where she helped Everton top UEFA Women's Cup first qualifying round Group A1 with three wins on their European debut, Johnson told theFA.com: "I'm obviously gutted for Steph as she's had a fantastic season, and to happen just a couple of days before flying out is devastating for her. I'm naturally over the moon as when I found out that I hadn't made the original squad, it was really, really tough....My boss was expecting me back at work tomorrow, but I've had to tell them there's been a change of plan!"