GEORGIA Stanway has her sights set on breaking into the England senior team in time for next year’s World Cup as the new Women’s Super League season gets under way this weekend.

The 19-year-old striker from Barrow, who plays for Manchester City Women, was one of the stars of this summer’s Under-20 World Cup in France, scoring in all but one of England’s games as they finished third.

Stanway’s six goals saw her earn the tournament’s Silver Boot award and, having been given encouragement by senior team manager Phil Neville, is eager to be part of the Lionesses’ squad when they head out to France next June.

“It was an honour to represent the girls out there at the Under-20 World Cup and it was an incredible summer, but I’d absolutely love to break into the senior team and that’s my aim for this season,” Stanway told BBC Radio Five Live’s breakfast show yesterday.

“Obviously, they’ve got an exciting summer having just qualified for their World Cup next year in France, so I’ll do my best, keep working hard and hopefully that can be in my sights.

“Phil Neville messaged after the World Cup just to say keep working hard and that’s what I’ll do. It’s important he keeps messaging people and that he makes them aware he’s watching, and that he’s looking out for players coming through.”

The 2018-19 WSL season, which Stanway and her City team-mates kick off away to defending champions Chelsea this Sunday, represents one of change for the women’s game in this country.

Previously a two-division competition, it has now been merged into a single 11-team division and, most significantly, is comprised entirely of full-time professional clubs for the first time in its history.

It means players like Stanway now have the security of being able to make a living as professional athletes and gives young girls trying to make their way in football another opportunity to aim for.

And the former Dowdales School pupil is grateful to have an opportunity which she admitted she thought may never be available to her.

“It’s absolutely unbelievable,” said Stanway. “When I was growing up I said ‘I want to be a footballer’, but you don’t think it’s going to happen with how the game was growing. But, thankfully, it did and I couldn’t be happier.

“To be able to say I’m a professional footballer and I train week in, week out with Manchester City, with the players I do, in these facilities is an absolute honour and I wouldn’t ask for any other job.”