England welcome back strikers Kelly Smith and Eni Aluko for Thursday’s Women’s World Cup qualifier against Austria at Loftus Road.
Aluko has been unavailable because of work commitments and Smith has been out with a knee injury.
Coach Hope Powell has also given a first call-up to Leeds Carnegie’s in-form striker Ellen White.
“We’ve been creating lots of scoring opportunities but haven’t converted enough of them,” said Powell.
Philadelphia Independence’s Lianne Sanderson is the only striker who has hit the net in England’s six matches since last year’s European Championship finals.
Smith began to ease her way back with a couple of 45-minute appearances at last month’s Cyprus Cup tournament.
“Kelly has worked really hard on her fitness and it will be good to have her back for the first time in our qualifying campaign,” said Powell.
Under-19 international White pressed her claim for a senior debut with a hat-trick in Leeds’ 4-0 win at Millwall Lionesses on Sunday.
It took her season’s goal tally to 19, and Powell stated: “Ellen has pace, tenacity and a physical presence – and she’s got real guts, which a striker needs.”
“With the qualification process more difficult than it’s ever been for the World Cup, this is a game we have to win”
England will be expected to comfortably beat Austria in Thursday’s match at Queens Park Rangers to maintain their 100% qualifying record in what will be their third group game.
Powell’s team did the double over the Austrians, ranked 32 places below them, in qualifying for the 2007 World Cup finals.
“The expectation will obviously be on us to win but Austria will come here with a nothing-to-lose attitude and they could prove difficult,” said Powell.
“They’ve only won one of their three qualifiers so far and so they know they’ve got to beat us to stand any chance of qualification.
“Hopefully that means they’ll come out and play instead of sitting really deep, which they did the last time we played them.
“But however they approach the game, the important thing for us is to get through them and score the goals to put three points on the board.
“With the qualification process more difficult than it’s ever been for the World Cup, this is a game we have to win.”
Powell’s team continue their qualifying campaign against group leaders Spain at Millwall’s New Den on 1 April.
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