Blackburn Rovers and DoncasterBelles have also significantly strengthened their squads and should be good enough to challenge in the top half of the 12-team table.
Chelsea will be expected to again finish third though they may be pushed by DoncasterBelles, who were fourth last season and also League Cup runners-up.
Five clubs - Arsenal , Everton , Chelsea , Leeds and DoncasterBelles - have no League matches scheduled until late September due to their players being on international duty.