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Players to watch in the Vitality Netball Superleague

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Ahead of this Sunday's Netball London Live we profile Surrey Storm Centre Sophia Candappa

England duo Helen Housby and Ama Agbeze have helped to pick out players to watch during the Vitality Netball Superleague season.

We've reached round seven of the Superleague campaign and Hertfordshire Mavericks will share the spotlight with Surrey Storm in their 'London Live' fixture this Saturday, with coverage starting at 6pm on Sky Sports 5.

But which players should fans keep an eye out for over the coming weeks? We're asked leading figures in the league to pick out respected performers and upcoming talent...

Helen Housby, England and Manchester Thunder.

Manchester Thunder Helen Housby
Image: Helen Housby has selected one of the Thunder's emerging players

I'm going to go for someone from my team - Gabby Marshall. I think not many people will know her yet, because she's still very young, and there have not been many opportunities to see her play.

She's with the U21s at the minute and she's got such a cool head. She plays wing defence and centre and if she does come on in bigger games, then you will see quite a lot from her.

Ama Agbeze, England and Loughborough Lightning.

Ama Agbeze Loughborough Lightning
Image: Ama Agbeze picked out a rival player for Hertfordshire Mavericks

I always talk about Sophie Carter to Jade Clarke and she thinks I'm obsessed with her! I just think she's feisty and tenacious. She is hard-working, has good ball-handling skills.

Celtic Dragons' Rebecca Oatley challenges Hertfordshire Mavericks' Sophie Carter to the ball
Image: Hertfordshire Mavericks' Sophie Carter challenges for the ball

It all depends on how Sophie progresses in the domestic game, but I do think she definitely is one to watch in the future. She also has a good group of players to learn from at Hertfordshire Mavericks.

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Kate Lightfoot, Yorkshire Jets.

I'm going to go for Liana Leota of Manchester Thunder, just because I find it really exciting to watch her. I've actually played in a random game against her and she threw a ball which completely dislocated one of my fingers. I had an eye out for her in that way!

Liana Leota
Image: Kate Lightfoot had a painful previous encounter with Liana Leota

I think she's absolutely fantastic to watch. Her skill, her decision making, and her ability to read the game. I think it's exciting to have someone of her calibre in the Superleague. She brings her 'Silver Fern' flair over here.

Maggie Jackson, Hertfordshire Mavericks performance director and England selector.

For me, Natalie Haythornthwaite is the one player that I would like to see coming through and really stamping her name on that goal attack bib for Manchester Thunder.

England's Natalie Haythornthwaite is interviewed
Image: Haythornthwaite caught the eye of the England selection panel

I want to see her growing in confidence and increasing her shooting. That for me is a player to watch.

What I like about Natalie, she's a real team player, great timing and to be given that opportunity will be phenomenal for her. There is no 'I' in her at all, she's a pure team player.

Watch this Saturday's 'London Live' fixture as Surrey Storm face the Hertfordshire Mavericks, live on Sky Sports 5 from 5.30pm.

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