England legend Kelly Smith expects physical Euro 2017 clash against Scotland

Kelly Smith insists England face "a battle" when they meet Scotland at next summer’s Women’s European Championships in the Netherlands.

Tournament debutants Scotland are England's first opponents at Euro 2017, with fellow newcomers Portugal also drawn in Group D alongside Spain.

"I think Portugal is probably the easiest game in the group and England recently played Spain in a friendly in Spain and beat them 2-1, so they will take real confidence from that," Smith told Tuesday's Sportswomen show on Sky Sports News HQ.

"But the biggest game - and the battle - is going to be against Scotland. My (Arsenal Ladies) team-mate Emma Mitchell is already talking about the draw and [the prospect of] playing against England.

"It's going to be a big battle and in my time as an England player it was always a very, very tough game, even though the gap in the rankings was a little bit bigger. That is not so much the case now and that won't matter, but much like for the men, it will be a crunch game with tackles flying in.

"Scotland have done extremely well over the last couple of years and qualifying for this tournament is massive for them.

"They also have Kim Little, who is one of the best players in the world on their team. She is their taliswoman, their go-to player. She will be a key player for them in that game."

England step up their preparations for the tournament with a friendly against next summer's hosts in Tilburg on November 29.

"That was a very smart move from [England head coach] Mark Sampson," England Women's all-time leading scorer Smith said.

"Just to go over and see the country, get to know the area, mix with the fans and put on a good display against Holland, because it's all about preparation.

"All these England players now have got their eye on this tournament next summer and they want to make the squad and want to make the starting XI."

Sampson has named a 23-strong squad for this month's friendly with Liverpool Ladies skipper Gemma Bonner and Smith's Arsenal team-mate Jodie Taylor both earning recalls.

England squad in full: Karen Bardsley (Manchester City), Siobhan Chamberlain (Liverpool), Mary Earps (Reading), Laura Bassett (Notts County), Gemma Bonner (Liverpool), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Gilly Flaherty (Chelsea), Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Jo Potter (Notts County), Alex Scott (Arsenal), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Isobel Christiansen (Manchester City), Jade Moore (Notts County), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Jill Scott (Manchester City), Fara Williams (Arsenal), Karen Carney (Chelsea), Danielle Carter (Arsenal), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Gemma Davison (Chelsea), Toni Duggan (Manchester City), Nikita Parris (Manchester City), Jodie Taylor (Arsenal).