When England step out at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium next week, they'll be hoping to extend their 30-game unbeaten run under Sarina Wiegman and lay down a marker against one of their World Cup rivals.
Everton's Clare Wheeler, however, will be hoping to spoil the party. The midfielder has enjoyed an impressive debut season at Walton Hall Park after making the switch from Fortuna Hjorring in the summer, and she's keen to replicate her domestic form for her native Australia, who'll be facing off with the Lionesses in West London on Tuesday evening.
"I think it’s going to be a really challenging game," Wheeler told the ECHO ahead of the clash. "I think there could be a scenario in the summer where England and Australia do play each other so it’s going to be a really good test ahead of the World Cup.
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"Obviously England are coming into it off the back of the EUROs and they’ve been undefeated for a long time under Sarina so for us it’s going to be a really good test to see where we are against a really in-form national team.
"I’m really excited and, with most of us playing over here in the WSL alongside the English players, it’s going to be a really good test."
It wasn't plain sailing for Wheeler during her first few months on Merseyside; the midfielder having initially been brought in on loan after impressing manager Brian Sorensen during his tenure at Fortuna. Injuries and fierce competition for places hampered her playing time, but the 25-year-old has diligently worked her way into the starting line-up, with her recent displays rendering her an immovable fixture for the Blues in the middle of the park.
"Every week here is more time and more confidence for me," Wheeler said. "My time at Everton has really shown me the growth of women’s football.
"Playing in front of crowds like we did at Goodison with 22,000 people is amazing and something I’ve always wanted to be a part of so I’m so thankful that I’m here and getting the opportunity to play."
The Merseyside derby draw yielded a club-record crowd for a women's game at Goodison, but if Wheeler was fazed by the big occasion, it didn't show, with the midfielder even notching an assist for Gabby George's opener. It was the sort of all-action display that exemplifies why Everton opted to make her stay permanent in the January window.
"I was just so happy the offer was there because I wanted to stay," she said. "I like the brand of football that we play and the vision for where this team wants to go and I’d like to be a part of that.
"I felt welcomed here and pushed to be the best footballer I can be in this professional environment. Looking forward to the World Cup it was a no-brainer for me to choose to stay."
Reflecting on the role Sorensen played in orchestrating her move to Walton Hall Park, Wheeler added: "For me personally, I’m so far away from home and from family and my support network so it was a big thing to have my first move to Denmark.
"I really enjoyed my time there and then to know Brian was going to come here and try to implement similar things and a similar style of play was a really attractive opportunity. I’m very grateful that Brian gave me the chance to come here but I know I have to compete because of the talent that we have.
"Everyone wants to play and get minutes so I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to come here but by no means do I take it for granted."
Competition for places is something Wheeler has also become accustomed to with her national side. The Matildas are currently 10th in the FIFA World Rankings and, with this summer's World Cup taking place in Australia and New Zealand, Wheeler is elated at the prospect of battling it out for the biggest prize in football on home soil.
"We’ve gone through a really big rebuild over the last few years and I definitely think it’s getting to that point where it’s really competitive to get in the squad and to get minutes," she said.
"Looking towards the World Cup, it’s going to be huge. We’ve already had to move games to bigger capacity stadiums so it’s going to be amazing to see the support that’s out there. We don’t really get a lot Down Under so it’s going to be amazing to have it there.
"Playing in a World Cup would be a dream come true and it’s not something that every footballer will get the chance to do in their lifetime. I feel especially lucky that it’s at home and I’m going to do everything I can to make sure I make that squad and make that dream a reality for me."
While Wheeler harbours ambitions of impressing on the international stage, she's also eager to help Everton push on up the league table. And with Sorensen at the helm, the midfielder is confident the future is very bright for the Blues.
She said: "When you have a squad like ours - which is the youngest in the league - if you can keep this core group together then who knows where we could be in a year or two when we’ve had more time together and more experience in this league.
"I think its an exciting prospect to think of and hopefully we can try and refine some areas and push into the top four."
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