Three ex-Sunderland players were named in the England women's squad for the World Cup In China next month.

Jill Scott, Carly Telford and Steph Houghton were all included in coach Hope Powell's England party which will head to China for the sixth finals tournament.

There were few surprises as Powell announced a 21-player squad that included nine members of the Arsenal Ladies quadruple-winning team from last season.

Scott and Houghton are both versatile midfield players who can fill other roles in the side, while Telford is one of three goalkeepers in the squad.

All three are now studying on foundation degree courses at Loughborough University, but will make a late start in the new academic term due to their national team duties in China.

Twenty-year-old Telford, from Stanley, and Houghton, 19, from South Hetton, recently joined Leeds United following Sunderland's relegation from the Premier National Division.

Scott, also 20, and from Fulwell, in Sunderland, left Wearside 12 months ago for Everton.

England, whose only other World Cup finals appearance saw them reach the quarter-finals in Sweden, in 1995, are believed to have their strongest ever squad.

The Three Lionesses emerged unbeaten from their qualifying group, edging out favourites France, to reach the finals for only the second time.

Telford, like her two former Sunderland team-mates, has worked her way up through the ranks of England's younger age group sides.

"We've been to European Championships at younger levels, but this will be the biggest thing we've ever done," she said.

"It's the biggest tournament you could ever go to and to be part of it is going to be amazing."

She said she does not want to go to China "just to sit on the bench", but she concedes competition for places will be tough.

England have been drawn in Group A with old foes Germany, who they play second, on September 14, in Shanghai.

They start against Japan, also in Shanghai, on September 11, and end the group against Argentina, in Chengdu, on September 17.

England sealed qualification for the tournament after emerging as unlikely victors from a group that included much-fancied France and Holland, but Powell has played down expectations.

The head coach is cautious about going into the competition with too much confidence and she said: ''The first priority is getting out of the group and that's all we're focusing on at the moment. We'll be ready for that opening game against Japan and then we'll take it from there."

The team drew 0-0 with the Germans in the China Cup at the beginning of the year just three months after being on the receiving end of a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of the same team.

The England coach is fully aware of the German's capabilities and is under no illusions about the task facing her side in their first World Cup since 1995.

She added: ''It's not an easy group but in a World Cup you don't expect any easy matches.

''We're up against the European and World Cup holders Germany, who are a great side, and then there's Argentina and Japan, who are unknown quantities, but we'll be ready for them and it's now down to us to be in the best possible shape.

The squad fly out on August 19.

England squad: Rachel Brown (Everton); Alex Scott (Arsenal); Casey Stoney (Chelsea); Katie Chapman (Arsenal); Faye White (Arsenal); Mary Phillip (Arsenal); Karen Carney (Arsenal); Fara Williams (Everton); Eniola Aluko (Chelsea); Kelly Smith (Arsenal); Rachel Yankey (Arsenal); Anita Asante (Arsenal) Siobhan Chamberlain (Chelsea); Rachel Unitt (Everton); Sue Smith (Leeds United); Jill Scott (Everton); Jody Handley (Everton); Lianne Sanderson (Arsenal); Vicky Exley (Doncaster Rovers Belles); Stephanie Houghton (Leeds United); Carly Telford (Leeds United).