Johnson has been capped 19 times by England since making her debut against Holland in September 2004, and will wear the number 20 shirt in China, for the tournament between 10-30 September.

Speaking to TheFA.com less than an hour after hearing the news from Head Coach Hope Powell, 'Johno' said: "I'm obviously gutted for Steph as she's had a fantastic season, and to happen just a couple of days before flying out is devastating for her.

"I'm naturally over the moon as when I found out that I hadn't made the original squad, it was really, really tough.

"I went away with the Everton girls and it was probably the best thing as I couldn't sit at home dwelling on missing the cut, and the England girls in our team were brilliant to me.

"I came home with a fresh perspective then and was determined to get back into the next squad after the World Cup, and even today I was fitness testing with some of the Northern based girls in the squad in Manchester.

"Pippa, the Team Doctor told me this morning to keep my chin up, keep working hard, and that you never know what might happen, but I never thought i'd be getting on the plane on Sunday.

"My boss was expecting me back at work tomorrow, but i've had to tell them there's been a change of plan!"

England fly out to Macau this Sunday for a two-week training camp, before they arrive in Shanghai on 3 September, ahead of their first group game against Japan on 11 September.
 
All England's games will be shown live on BBC Two, with kick-off times at 1pm GMT.