England Women's Coach Brent Hills insists todays tough clash in Germany is ideal preparation for next years World Cup in China.
Hills is under the spotlight more than ever before as he takes the reins in the absence of Hope Powell, who is recovering from a hip operation. However, he is at pains to stress that it will be business as usual for the England squad as he aims to maintain the status quo.
"It will be just more of the same of what we have been working on for the last two or three years,' said Hills. "We want to put the best available team out, but don't be surprised if other players get game time as well. This is the first game in preparation for the World Cup and we know where we want to be in terms of experience and preparation come next September.
"Touch wood we won't have any injuries, but what we don't want is to have to be putting other players in who have had limited game time."
After an unbeaten qualifying campaign, including a memorable 1-1 draw in France to secure their place in China, Hills is confident that Englands strength in depth ensures changes wont weaken their team in any way.
"Yes it's the World Champions, yes you want your best players fit all the time, but we're a squad," continued Hills. "All players in the squad need to play in these types of games, you don't want their first experience of international football to come in the first group match of the World Cup.
"There is a momentum to be carried from the France game, but there is also the 'After the Lord Mayor's show' situation that we don't want to happen.
"I wouldn't question the commitment of the players, but what we want to make clear to the players is that this is the first game in preparation for the World Cup.
"The players that go to the World Cup next September will undoubtedly be the ones that deserve it. We're not under any pressure to pick any players if there is someone that deserves it more than them.
"It was interesting after the game against France though; Kelly Smith's comment straight after the match was 'I'll be training tomorrow.' That shows the commitment there is in this squad."
