Cumbrian Helen Housby will bid to help England’s netballers prevail against some of their major rivals.

She is in a 15-strong squad for the Quad Series which gets under way at the Copper Box Arena in London tomorrow.

The four-team series sees England’s Vitality Roses competing against Australian Diamonds, New Zealand Silver Ferns and South Africa’s SPAR Proteas.

It will see 26-year-old Housby, from Drumleaning near Wigton, back in international action after she helped England to a series victory over Jamaica earlier this month.

The eight-game Quad Series starts when England take on South Africa tomorrow afternoon.

The hosts will, though, be without shooter Jo Harten, after she tested positive for Covid-19.

Her partnerships with Housby and Eleanor Cardwell had been key to England’s victories over Jamaica.

“Very disappointed to miss out on a home Quad Series with this squad,” Harten said on social media.

“I know they’ll bring the goods to the court and I’m right behind them. Hoping to make a full recovery after some extended rest and recovery.”

England are hoping for success in the Quad Series as part of their build-up to this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where Housby and her team-mates will be defending the gold medal they won dramatically on Australia’s Gold Coast in 2018.

Captain Serena Guthrie told Sky Sports: “We’ll be looking to get some information and see how we fare up.

“We’re just looking forward to getting some good performances in so that come Commonwealth Games time, we know what works tactically against these teams.”