GEORGIA Stanway has been tipped to continue her ascent to stardom in 2019 after being named as one of The Guardian's five women sports prospects for next year.

The Barrow-born footballer has been in scintillating form for Manchester City in the Women's Super League since breaking into the first team, having already reached double-figures for the 2018/19 season in goals scored.

Stanway, who turns 20 on January 3, also marked her debut for the England Women senior side with a goal as they beat Austria 3-0 in Vienna last month.

"The Barrow-born woman grew up as a Newcastle United fan, idolising Alan Shearer, and there are definite shades of Shearer about aspects of her game – particularly the type of goals she relishes scoring," wrote Guardian football correspondent Louise Taylor.

"Having represented England at every junior level and scored on her senior debut against Austria during the autumn, (Lionesses manager) Phil Neville will surely find it difficult to leave Stanway out of his squad for the summer’s World Cup finals and has already made it clear he wants her on the plane to France."

Stanway and City are back in action on January 6, when they travel to Bristol City in the first FA WSL match after Christmas.