CHARLTON skipper Casey Stoney is hoping for a full house for the England women’s team international at Priestfield this month.

Stoney, who coaches children at schools across Kent, believes the local football fans will turn out in force to support England in their crucial World Cup qualifier against Austria on Thursday, April 20.

The 30-cap England international said: "We had 12,500 fans when we played at Blackburn, so if we can get a similar turn-out we can fill Priestfield which would be great.

"I have been impressed by Priestfield. The stadium looks good and it’s a good pitch. The support Gillingham get from the fans is brilliant and if we can get the same sort of backing for our game it would give us a real lift."

England are currently top of their World Cup qualifying group with three wins and a draw as they attempt to qualify for the finals in China next year.

They won 4-1 in Austria last September but Stoney is taking nothing for granted in the re-match.

She said: "Austria are a good team and have some quality players who are capable of surprising us.

"There are no easy games in international football. If we can get home wins against Austria and Hungary, it looks as if it will come down to our last two matches against Holland and France.

"Women’s football is the fastest growing sport and it can only help playing internationals at grounds like this and getting good television coverage, too."

Gillingham skipper Chris Hope said he would be at Priestfield to watch.

He said: "The England team have some great players and I will be cheering them on. Having any international at Priestfield can only be a feather in the club’s cap and I would urge all Gillingham fans to come along.

"The fans always get behind us, so I hope they turn out in force to cheer Casey and the rest of the team to victory."

Ticket Hotline Number: 01634 300000 Adults: £5 each. Concessions: £2.50.

* Any budding female footballers wanting to have a go at the "beautiful game" themselves should visit www.TheFA.com/women for information on getting involved.