Layla Guscoth has been ruled out of Vitality Roses’ Friday night clash with Uganda where victory will clinch a series win.
Tracey Neville saw her side claim a thrilling opener on Tuesday night at the Echo Arena, and the teams have travelled south to the Copper Box for the second and third Tests on Friday and Sunday.
England edge out She Cranes in opening thriller
Vitality Netball World Cup 2019 coming to Sky Sports
The Roses will have to do with defensive star Guscoth who has impressed hugely since her recall to the squad, but took a knock early on Tuesday night and England Netball confirmed on Thursday night she would miss the rest of the series.
The former Team Bath star, who is heading to Australia to play for Adelaide Thundersbirds next year, started the 50-46 opening win and Neville must decide how to replace the key defender.
Wasps youngster Fran Williams has been added to the squad but the most likely option for the Roses will be to hand a start to Jodie Gibson after her starring role as an early replacement for Guscoth earlier this week.
Big loss for England. @LaylaGuscoth has been smashing it. But so proud that @fwills11 has her call up. ?#ENGvUGA https://t.co/iEmS4hIjAH
George Fisher is also pushing for a start after a lively introduction from the bench as goalshooter. Rachel Dunn is most under threat as Helen Housby underlined her status as one of the sport’s coolest customers under the post with a starring role to steer England to victory.
The Commonwealth Games matchwinner landed her last six shots as England held off a Malawi comeback to open with a hard-fought win, and Housby is key to any hopes of success in the short and long term for the Roses.
Back at it tomorrow night! ?? Excited to play in front of a London crowd again – make it LOUD if you’re in there ? ?
? – @bensnapsstuff pic.twitter.com/NskUWpYGh3
Neville will hope that game has blown away the cobwebs against a Uganda side who impressed hugely on their first full series against one of the world’s top-ranked teams.
Ranked seventh in the world, the She Cranes finished 6th at the Conmonwealth Games earlier this year, giving England a scare on the way, and Neville is well aware of the different type of threat they pose to traditional powerhouses Australia and New Zealand.
“We have to play a different style of game against the African style and our concentration just isn’t there. That’s what we need to build on over these next two Tests,” she said after Tuesday’s win.
“Some of these girls have not won since the Quad Series so that’s a big positive. It’s hard to win, and it’s hard to get from losing to winning.”
Vitality International Series
England’s three-match series with Uganda continues on Friday with coverage underway on Sky Sports Mix from 6.45pm and Arena from 7pm. You can also watch the full version of Peace Proscovia: Netball in Uganda which is available On Demand right now.
Sky Sports will also show every game live of the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup, July 12-21
A huge 2019 will feature another thrilling Vitality Superleague which is just a month away and starts with the Super 10 on Saturday, January 5, live on Sky Sports
You can now receive all the latest Vitality Superleague news and more on your personal devices. The Sky Sports mobile app will keep you up to date with the latest news from your favourite sports, including netball – here’s how to receive the alerts you want.
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