ALBION boss Hope Powell believes that her player's experience while on international duty will make them better ahead of their FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal.

Powell will lose ten members of her squad next week to international duty, Maya Le Tissier, Ellie Brazil, Katie Robinson, Rinsola Babajide and on-loan goalkeeper Fran Stenson were this week called up for the England under-23 friendly against Belgium on October 26.

Midfielder Maisie Symonds will be with the England under-19s at the four-nation tournament in Limerick, Ireland. Meanwhile, Emma Koivisto, Kayleigh Green and Megan Connolly will be with Finland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland, respectively for their World Cup qualifiers.

Albion's pathway players are also representing the club on the international stage. Ella Humphrey and Megan Currie are with Wales under-19s at a World Cup qualifying tournament in Andorra, where they will play the host country, Estonia and Albania while Maisie Miller is with Wales under-17s. Lea Cordier will represent Belgium under-21s during the international break.

Powell said: "The training ground is going to be pretty quiet for a few days but it is great to have so many players potentially representing their countries.

"I'm really pleased for the girls going away with England under-23s.

"It's a stepping stone to the full squad, and it gives them an opportunity to do some really good work, and hopefully, they will come back inspired and refreshed and ready for the Arsenal game."

Albion will play the Gunners at Boreham Wood on October 31 with a 4.45pm kick-off, and the Vitality, FA Cup semi-final, will be broadcast live on BBC Two.

They go into the game having won twice in four days, defeating Tottenham 2-1 in the Women's Super League before easing to a 1-0 win over Birmingham City in the Conti Cup last Wednesday.

Powell said: "We had a good week but was tough physically, and we will have a bit of a break now so the players can recover before we start thinking about Arsenal."