PHIL NEVILLE said the “door is not closed for anyone” today after freshening up the England squad for next month’s SheBelieves Cup.

Chelsea’s Anita Asante, who is recalled for the first time since 2015, and teammate Hannah Blundell, who could earn her first cap for England, have both been named in Neville’s first squad since he was controversially given the job at the start of 2018.

With the Lionesses coming up against host nation United States, France and Germany next month, Neville will need to hit the ground running and has selected regulars such as Steph Houghton — three caps away from reaching 100 — Jill Scott, Lucy Bronze, Karen Bardsley and Fran Kirby to name a few.

Arsenal’s Danielle Carter misses out, as does Reading’s Jo Potter and Chelsea’s Eni Aluko and Drew Spence, but Neville has an eye on the future as shown by his decision to call up Everton midfielder Gabby George.

One player who has travelled but won’t play is Arsenal’s 20-year-old Leah Williamson, with the trip coming as part of her development around the national set-up.

On his decisions, Neville said: “I have been really impressed by what I have seen in the past few weeks.

“Some exciting young players have caught my eye and not just those that have been picked for this squad. They will get an opportunity in the coming months to challenge the established players who, of course, deserve big respect for what they have done to take this team to third in the world.

“I also hope this squad shows that the door is not closed to anyone and that those in form will always have a strong chance of being picked.

“To those that have just missed out this time, I hope they use that disappointment in the right way to force their way into contention.

“We want to go to the SheBelieves Cup with a positive approach and then kick on into the World Cup qualifiers.”

Aluko’s omission will have people talking. The forward has not played since telling the Football Association she had been racially abused, along with club mate Spence, by not only disgraced former boss Mark Sampson but some of his coaching staff as well, dating back to November 2014.

Sampson was sacked last September for "inappropriate" conduct while in his previous job at Bristol Academy.

In the dugout for the tournament, the former Manchester United first team coach will call upon former captain Casey Stoney, who retired from playing this week to join Neville’s backroom staff as part of the new FA player-to-coach scheme, along with ex-interim boss Mo Marley who has been named interim assistant.

“I am really happy Mo has agreed to join this trip, especially given the great work she did in La Manga,” Neville added.

“Her input will be invaluable to me and to Casey, who is embarking on the first steps of her new career after retiring as a player. 

“Mo’s role across our development teams and producing players for the seniors means we will always have a close working relationship, but I know she is also thinking ahead to the U20 World Cup later this year.”

All eyes will be on Neville’s debut as coach given the furore around his hiring, with England kicking off the tournament against France on March 1. They then play Germany on March 4 before coming up against the US.